Scientists of the Biodiversity Institute under the State Academy of Sciences conducted the survey and study of 50-odd wetlands in the country over the last ten years. In the course, they verified the distribution areas of nearly 20 species of water birds in danger of global extinction like black-faced spoonbill, red-crowned crane, oriental white stork and Far-eastern curlew and their resource quantities and seasonal distribution character along with the type of habitats.

They comprehensively estimated the distribution chart of endangered species with help of the technology of geographic information system to newly confirm the concentrated distribution areas of water birds of endangered species, thus making it possible to take national protection measure according to the sustained change of ecological environment.

The newly confirmed priority wetlands for protection are coastal regions between Sindo County of North Phyongan Province and Mundok County of South Phyongan Province, between Jungsan County of South Phyongan Province and Nampho City and Unryul County of South Hwanghae Province, between Ryongyon and Paechon counties of South Hwanghae Province and between Thongchon County of Kangwon Province and Hamhung of South Hamgyong Province, and the area in the mouth of the River Tuman in Rason City.

The DPRK is playing an important role in the EAAF (East Asian-Australasian Flyway), a main flyway in Northeast Asia, which includes more than 20 countries and regions. More than 50 million water birds of 250-odd species including those in the danger of global extinction migrate through the EEAF annually.

Until now, 26 endangered species of water birds have been observed in the country. Among them are Anser erythropus (VU), Egretta eulophotes (VU), Tringa guttifer (EN) and Synthliboramphus wumizusume (VU).