The DPRK, rich in mineral water resources, has many streams in mountains.

From olden times, the Korean ancestors have used the good spring water from the mountains widely, calling them as sanchonsu (water from mountain) or jangsusaem (longevity spring water).

The DPRK has conducted a full-scale survey of spring water in mountains for several decades and registered hundreds of its sources so far.

Generally, spring water with a relatively high mineral content is called spring water in mountains; especially, the natural spring water must meet the hygienically defined standards.

The country’s mountain spring water has some characteristics in its distribution compared with that in other countries.

There are many sources of the water compared to the area of its territory.

And they are relatively even in their distribution in regional areas, and in terms of the chemical content, most of the spring water is also effective for the protection of health and prevention and treatment of diseases.

According to experts, there are many long-lived ones among the people in the areas with spring water, whose pH is slightly alkaline and calcium ions are relatively more abundant than sodium ions.

The hygienic criteria of mountain spring water demand it be colourless, clear and odourless. It should also be free from mixed taste and moderate in temperature.

At the same time, its chemical composition should meet the hygienic requirements.

It should also be good for health and longevity.

In Pyongyang alone, there are dozens of good spring water sources that contain a relatively large amount of minerals, including Mangyongdae Spring Water Nos. 1 and 2, Ponghwari Spring Water, Taesonggol Spring Water and Sammagongwon Spring Water. They are drawing experts’ attention for their effectiveness in preventing and treating digestive and cardiovascular diseases.

The Sindok Spring Water in Onchon County, registered as a natural monument, is renowned in the world for its high water quality.

There are many other spring water sources that are mild in taste and good for health and longevity in various parts of the country, including Yangdok Spring Water and Okkye Spring Water, which are rich in mineral content, good for health and taste good, Tami Spring Water, which tastes savory and refreshing, and Thaethan Spring Water, which has long been known as marvelous water for its effectiveness in treating various diseases.

Spring water is used internally or externally, and the internal therapy has long been used.

The water, when taken early in the morning, is absorbed easily in the empty gastrointestinal tract and helps purify the blood, expand the blood vessels, improve the blood circulation and enhance the elastic functions of the blood vessels, thus lowering the blood pressure and preventing the development of vascular diseases in the heart and the brain.

If it is taken regularly, it can improve the functions of the endocrine glands, the heart, the liver and the stomach and enhance immunocompetence, thus preventing cold, skin diseases, arthritis and pharyngitis.

Several modern spring water factories have sprung up, including the Ryongaksan Spring Water Factory, the Taesongsan Spring Water Factory and the Ryongsusan Spring Water Factory, and they are contributing to promoting the people’s health.