In this study, we analyzed research papers published by North Korean authors on the medical use of ginseng, aiming to identify trends and evaluate their significance. As of November 30, 2022, a search for “ginseng” in the Ministry of Unification's North Korea Information Center and North Korea Science and Technology Network yielded 225 results. Of the 105 studies focused on medical research, 64 were fully accessible, and 58 were included in this analysis after classification by two medical doctors. Most publications were original research articles (49) on animal experiments, with 9 clinical studies, indicating active research in both traditional and modern medicine in North Korea. The research spanned various fields, including basic medicine, gastroenterology, and endocrinology. Many papers cited the teachings of the North Korean leaders Kim Il-sung, Kim Jong-il, and Kim Jong-un to explain their research objectives, reflecting an association of political ideology with medical research in the country. Additionally, five papers on preventive medicine and primary healthcare highlighted the coexistence of traditional and modern medicine and public engagement, which are key features of North Korean healthcare. Although these studies suggest that ginseng and Koryo medicine are effective in treating ailments such as colds, chronic liver disease, and brain aging, methodological shortcomings were observed. For instance, the animal experiments often involved small sample sizes and lacked clear statistical methods. In conclusion, research on ginseng in North Korea often tends to be used as a propaganda tool to emphasize the superiority of Koryo medicine, and there have been frequent instances where ensuring scientific rigor in these studies has been challenging.

Keywords: Ginseng, North Korea, Koryo medicine, Propaganda tool, Ideology