North Koreans have been warned against keeping dogs as pets by the Pyongyang regime, which declared that canines should only be raised for their meat and fur.
The peculiar prohibition was communicated through the Socialist Women's Union of Korea, as reported by a source in South Pyongan Province. According to the source, treating dogs as family members, with privileges such as sharing meals and sleeping indoors, contradicts the socialist lifestyle and is strongly discouraged.
Furthermore, activities like dressing dogs in clothing, reminiscent of practices by Western celebrities, were condemned as bourgeois extravagance. The regime emphasized that dogs are primarily viewed as livestock, raised for eventual consumption, and any deviation from this purpose is considered unsocialist.
The rise in dog ownership, perceived as a symbol of bourgeois indulgence, reportedly prompted the government's directive. While citizens are urged to handle the matter discreetly, non-compliance may lead to a mass movement to eradicate pet ownership altogether.
The announcement has left some dog owners distraught, grappling with the dilemma of what to do with their beloved pets. Greg Scarlatoiu, executive director of the Committee for Human Rights in North Korea, criticized the decree as another example of the regime's absurd control over daily life.
According to reports, the practice of keeping dogs as pets gained traction in North Korea in the early 2000s, primarily for guarding purposes. However, there has been a recent surge in ownership of foreign breeds, indicating shifting cultural attitudes.
While dog meat remains a controversial delicacy in both Koreas, South Korea recently passed legislation banning its production and sale. In North Korea, dishes like Dangogiguk, a dog-meat soup, are occasionally served to foreign visitors. Photo by Joseph Ferris III, Wikimedia commons.
