Thanks to the intensified survey by officials and workers in the sector of cultural preservation, several dozen things of historical and scientific value have been designated as natural monuments this year.

Typical of them is Pyolgumgang, a scenic spot in Kosong County, Kangwon Province. When visiting Mt. Kumgang in August Juche 62 (1973), General Secretary Kim Jong Il said the spot should be converted into a tourist resort and a rest place for holiday-makers.

With a 100-meter-round pond on its 320-meter-high peak surrounded by 20-meter-high fascinating cliffs, Pyolgumgang presents a wonderful natural scenery.

Included in the list are Rakchon Cavern in Kowon County, South Hamgyong Province and Obong Cavern in Sunchon City, South Phyongan Province. The limestone caverns came into being in the latter half of the Paleozoic era and the fourth glacial age respectively.

In Samjiyon area scores of 400-odd-year-old larch trees have been registered as natural products.

On an average the trees are more than 30 meters high, 80 centimeters across and 250 centimeters round in lower part.

Among the newly registered natural monuments are 700-odd-year-old gingko tree in Jaha-ri, Sinwon County, South Hwanghae Province, 270-odd-year-old chestnut tree, a good fruiter, in Kwanhak Valley in Samsok District, Pyongyang, and Chamaecyparis pisifera and Pinus strobus in Songhung-dong, Wonsan City, Kangwon Province.

Thaethan razor clam of South Hwanghae Province, well known to the world for its peculiar taste, and Samjiyon goldfish of significance in ecological study of fishes living in highland are also included in the list.