북한 정신의학에서 사용되는 정신의학 진단분류체계

Abstract

Objectives Psychiatry in North Korea is still poorly understood. Therefore, it is necessary to

study the psychopathology and diagnostic classification of North Korean psychiatry. This study

examined North Korea’s psychopathology and diagnostic classification system and how it differs

from international standards.

Methods This study reviewed North Korean medical books and medical journals available at

the Information Center on North Korea. This literature review and qualitative content analysis examined

15 medical books and 227 medical articles.

Results North Korea’s psychiatric diagnostic classification is based on the International Classification

of Diseases, 10th edition (ICD-10), but with some modifications to reflect the circumstances

of North Korea. While the research journals mainly used the ICD-10 diagnostic criteria, North

Korea has its own diagnostic criteria, which it refers to as the “existing diagnostic criteria.” ‘Neurotic

disorders’ were the most common, both in the classification in the medical books and the list

of disorders covered in the medical journals. There was an interest in ‘organic mental disorders,’

such as postconccusional syndrome and ‘mental disorders due to encephalic parasitism,’ but

relatively little research on mood disorders. There were no studies on suicide and a view that alcohol

is abused in capitalist countries.

Conclusion This study examined the diagnostic classification system of North Korean psychiatry.

Further analyses of the characteristics of the psychopathology used in North Korea can be used

to understand North Korean society