Objectives: This article aims to clarify the understanding and publication status of both The Treasured Mirror of Eastern Medicine (Donguibogam) and some of its recent research progress made in North Korea, as well as their influences... more
Objectives: This article aims to clarify the understanding and publication status of both The Treasured Mirror of Eastern Medicine (Donguibogam) and some of its recent research progress made in North Korea, as well as their influences upon the academic of Koryo medicine in North Korea. Methods: Analysis was carried out based on various reference books, dictionaries and Korean translation of Donguibogam (1964 Ver.) published by North Korea, as well as the North Korean quarterly medical journal, Koryo Medicine. Results: The academic of Koryo medicine in North Korea regards Donguibogam, a Korean medical classic as it was written by native Korean physicians and it became an important ground material for basic research and clinical study. Various terminologies used in the original version of Donguibogam were defined as unscientific and superstitious by North Korean academics, which were then subsequently removed from the Korean translation of Donguibogam (1964 Ver.) published by North Korea. Therefore, this version cannot be seen as a complete edition of Donguibogam. Conclusions: The Donguibogam is known as one of the ‘three major books of Koryo medicine’ in North Korea. As a treasure of East-Asian traditional medical classic, Donguibogam is expected to become the medium for a closer research collaboration between the North and South Koreas including China in the future.
