North Korean authorities have reportedly introduced a ban on the consumption of hot dogs as part of a broader crackdown on Western cultural influences within the country.

Under the directive from Kim Jong Un, the sale or preparation of hot dogs is being treated as a form of treason, as per The Sun. This move comes in response to the increasing popularity of a South Korean dish, which itself was inspired by American cuisine.

Those found selling or cooking hot dogs could face imprisonment in one of North Korea's notorious labour camps. Also, the regime has expanded its control by making divorce a potential offence punishable by jail time.To suppress capitalist culture, Pyongyang has also banned the sale of budae-jjigae, a popular dish from its pro-western neighbour, South Korea.

The spicy Korean-American hotpot known as budae-jjigae (meaning "army base stew") includes hot dogs or Spam as key ingredients. It was created during the Korean War in the 1950s when local Koreans used leftover meats from U.S. soldiers to make stews, as food was scarce. Over time, the dish became a mix of Korean and American foods.The dish is believed to have entered North Korea in 2017, long after it was first made in South Korea.

In November, Radio Free Asia (RFA) reported that North Korean authorities had banned budae-jjigae and tteokbokki, another popular street food from South Korea. A vendor in the northern province of Ryanggang told The Sun that the sale of budae-jjigae has come to a halt in local markets.

According to the vendor, both the police and market management are enforcing the ban, warning that anyone caught selling the dish will have their business shut down.