The DPRK also abounds in mineral water resources with high mineral content, as well as hot springs conducive to people’s health and treatment of diseases.

According to Ri Hye Gyong, PhD, associate professor and director of the Natural Therapy Institute under the Ministry of Public Health, the mineral springs in the DPRK are relatively abundant as compared to the surface area of its land and distributed evenly across the country. There are more than 110 spas in the country.

The Okryu mineral water on the banks of the Taedong River in Pyongyang belongs to the bicarbonate-chlorine-calcium spring whose mineral content is of a moderate degree. It contains lots of trace elements, including iron and manganese, and major ionic components, and is good for the treatment of digestive diseases, including chronic gastritis, diabetes and anemia.

In Pyongyang there are more than ten kinds of mineral waters including the Samma mineral water rich in magnesium. Most of them are sulphate, simple and complex salt springs.

The Kangso mineral water in Nampho, which has been famous since olden times, normalizes the secretion of gastric juice, promotes absorption, diuresis and metabolism and is particularly efficacious for intestinal diseases.

There are also the Kojang and Susan mineral waters which are widely used for the treatment of chronic gastritis, gastric and duodenal ulcers, gastric surgery sequelae, chronic enterocolitis, arteriosclerosis and obesity, and efficacious for some ischemic heart diseases, primary and secondary hypertension, autonomic imbalance, neuralgia, etc.

The Sambang mineral water in Kangwon Province has been used since olden times. The Sogwangsa mineral water, widely known for the unique taste, is rich in bicarbonate, sodium and calcium ions and iron and therefore is very effective in treating various diseases.

The Chojong Mineral Water with a distinctive taste is in Chojong-ri, Unchon County, South Hwanghae Province.

It is widely used for the treatment of chronic gastritis, gastric and duodenal ulcers, hyperuricemia and chronic pyelocystitis, as it controls the secretion of gastric and intestinal juices and promotes diuresis.

Other widely known mineral waters include the Komhung mineral water in South Phyongan Province, the Okhodong mineral water in North Phyongan Province, the Hwangjin mineral water in North Hamgyong Province, the Yodok and Ryongwon mineral waters in South Hamgyong Province, the Ryongha mineral water in Ryanggang Province and the Chonghak mineral water in Rason Municipality. They promote the movement and absorbing functions of the alimentary canal, control the functions of autonomic nerves and are highly effective in the treatment of various diseases including chronic gastritis and chronic hepatitis.