North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un announced North Korea prohibits the consumption of hot dogs and the practice of divorce, with offenders facing the possibility of incarceration.
The decision underscores the government’s stringent control over personal choices and lifestyle practices as part of a massive crackdown on Western cultural influences.
These types of sausages were culturally imported from Germany and became popular in the United States.
It has grown in popularity in South Korea, and Kim has since declared that serving sausages is now an act of treason against North Korea.
North Koreans are said to love spicy noodle soup that uses hot dogs or spam.
The dish, called Budae-jjigae, was imported from South Korea in 2017.
Budae-jjigae, also known as ‘Army Base Stew, is also made up of umami-rich broth, Korean hot pepper paste, beans, flakes and kimchi.
But now vendors have been blocked from offering the soup at markets
In another unusual and harsh measure, the hermit kingdom has begun imprisoning couples who seek to divorce because the dictator considers the act a “crime”.
It has been reported that Kim Jong-un wants each person to be sentenced to up to six months in prison.
He views divorce as a sign of being “anti-socialist”.
International sanctions
A number of country and international bodies have imposed international sanctions against North Korea due to its nuclear weapons programme.
In 1988, the United States added North Korea to its list of state sponsors of terrorism.
