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DPRK Journal (issue May 2025)
Biodiversity in North Korea: New findings from the Rason wetlands

In the new DPRK Journal, a report on the Rason region shows how important North Korea's wetlands are for global species conservation. Over 300 bird species and rich biodiversity make the reserve a key area for the conservation of biological diversity.

In the current DPRK Journal (issue May 2025),  DPR Korea has published a comprehensive report on the importance and ongoing development of wetlands in the region.  Hanns Seidel Foundation partner in DPRK  makes an important contribution to the international commitment to biodiversity conservation.

Despite the ongoing political isolation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the development in 2025 is encouraging: the protection of migratory birds and their natural habitats remains an active concern. The published report focuses in particular on the wetland reserve in Rason, an area of great ecological importance in the far north-east of the country.

The reserve includes the Manpho, Tongbonpho and Sobonpho lakes in the Kulphodong region of the Songbong district. These water landscapes form an ideal resting and breeding area for numerous migratory birds. The region is characterized by large, regularly flooded grasslands that are home to a rich flora, including aquatic plant species, grasses, Cyperus plants and many other specialized plant families.

The surrounding coastal and forest areas provide additional shelter and food. Conifers, holm oaks, dog roses and Weigela florida dominate the landscape here. The latest bird counts speak for themselves: over 300 different bird species have been documented in this area, more than in any other bird sanctuary in the country.

In addition to the remarkable avifauna, the ecosystem of the Rason region also provides a habitat for a variety of other animal species. The mammals observed include deer, squirrels, chipmunks (Tamias sibiricus), and wildcats. There is also a great diversity of species in the water: fish, crustaceans, sea urchins, crabs, harbor seals, and eared seals can be found in the waters.

Rason's significance has been recognized both nationally and internationally. The wetland was designated a national reserve for migratory birds back in 1995. It has also been registered as a Ramsar site - an internationally protected wetland - since 2018. These designations reflect the global consensus on the area's ecological value and the need for its continued protection.

The continuous improvement of the habitat is not the least due to the progressive nature conservation laws that ensure the preservation of this unique ecosystem. Thus, Rason remains a key area for protecting migratory bird species and an important component of global biodiversity strategies.