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The DPRK abounds in mineral spring resources.

One of them is hot spring good for the promotion of health and treatment of diseases.

Hot spring is a spring of naturally hot water, typically heated by subterranean volcanic activity. Unlike common water, it has physical and chemical properties and performs biological action. To be more specific, its temperature exceeds 20°C and contains more than a certain amount of specific substances extracted from rocks or volcanic gases.

According to experts, hot springs are found in large numbers across the DPRK, ranging from Mt Paektu and other northern highlands to lowlands, which is attributed to the hydrogeological conditions.

In the country, large and small fault zones came into being in the period between the late Tertiary to the early Quaternary, along with the formation of granitoid that thrust its way up before and after the Mesozoic era. This created favourable conditions for lots of mineral waters and hot springs to gush out. For such geological composition, the DPRK has a large number of hot springs where hot water which is efficacious for treating diseases constantly spring out of the ground even in midwinter.

The temperatures of the water of hot springs in the country range from 20℃ to 100℃, and it contains calcium, magnesium, chlorine and bicarbonate ions, metasilicic acids, radon, hydrogen sulphide and various other minerals conducive to the promotion of health.

According to ancient documents, Korean ancestors maintained their health and recovered from illnesses by way of bathing in hot spring, i.e. they immersed their bodies in hot springs or artificial bathtubs filled with hot spring for a certain time. This shows that through the long course of balneotherapy, the ancestors experientially learned that hot spring has curative effects on pains of various causes, joint and eye diseases and other illnesses and created and developed an excellent and unique hot spring culture.

The Onpho hot spring at the Onpho Working People's Holiday Camp, which represents the hot spring culture of the DPRK and boasts a unique charm, has a long history.

The Onpho hot spring area is located in a cosy valley surrounded by mountains covered with trees. It has been noted as a beautiful place since olden times, for the fine climate, thick forests and hot spring fountains. The water of this strong alkaline hot spring contains a mixture of substances useful for promoting blood circulation and metabolism and therefore has powerful medicinal and therapeutic effects.

The same is true of the hot spring of the Yangdok Hot Spring Resort. In ancient times, Korean ancestors called it “Tolthang” for the reason that the hot spring comes up out of rocks. It was later renamed “Sokthang”. The hot spring has widely been used for treating skin diseases since olden times, as it contains much sulphur.

The Phyongnam (Ryonggang) hot spring in the township of Onchon County, Nampho Municipality, is one of the hot springs with the highest mineral content in the world as well as in the country. Its temperatures range from 45℃ to 54℃. Containing much bromine and iodine, it is good for hypertensive patients for the antihypertensive and sedative effects.

In addition, the Songchon hot spring in South Phyongan Province, Unsan hot spring in North Phyongan Province, Wonhung hot spring in Jagang Province and others in different parts of the country boasting their long history are also making a contribution to the promotion of people's health.

People's interest in hot spring grows day by day as it is very helpful in treating diseases without using medicines.