Reports indicate that North Koreans have been banned from consuming hot dogs as part of a broader effort by the regime to crack down on Western influences within the country.

Kim Jong Un, the country’s leader, has declared that serving hot dogs constitutes an act of treason, according to The Sun. This move comes amidst the growing popularity of a South Korean dish influenced by American cuisine.

Those found selling or preparing hot dogs in the country could face imprisonment in one of North Korea’s notorious labor camps. Additionally, authorities have announced that individuals who have been divorced could also be sent to prison.

In an attempt to suppress Western capitalist culture, the regime has also prohibited the sale of budae-jjigae, a popular dish that originated in South Korea, which has ties to American food.

Budae-jjigae, a spicy Korean-American stew, contains ingredients like hot dogs or spam. The dish emerged from food scraps left by U.S. soldiers during the Korean War in the 1950s, which locals used to make stews.

The dish, a blend of Korean and American culinary traditions, is believed to have spread into North Korea around 2017, several decades after it was first created in South Korea.

According to a report from Radio Free Asia (RFA) in November, North Korean authorities have now banned both budae-jjigae and tteokbokki, a popular street food from South Korea that features steamed rice cakes.

A vendor from the northern province of Ryanggang told The Sun, “Sales of budae-jjigae in the market have stopped. The police and market management have said anyone caught selling it will be shut down.”

In December, additional reports surfaced that citizens in North Korea claimed divorcees could face prison terms ranging from one to six months for their “offense.”

Divorce is heavily stigmatized in North Korea and is considered counter to socialist values. Any legal separation requires approval from the government.

A woman who served a three-month sentence in South Pyongan province’s labor camp recounted that women received more severe punishments than men for divorcing. “There are about 80 women, and 40 men imprisoned in the county labor training camp,” she said.

“About 30 men and women were imprisoned due to divorce decrees, and the women’s sentences were longer.”

{Matzav.com}