Yonggwang County


Yŏnggwang County is a county in South Hamgyŏng province, North Korea.

Geography

The county is primarily mountainous, and is traversed by the Pujŏllyŏng Mountains. However, there are areas of rolling and level ground, especially along the Sŏngch'ŏn River. Other significant streams include the Hŭngrim River, Chadongch'ŏn, Ch'ŏnbulsanch'ŏn, and Kigokch'ŏn. Roughly 80% of the county is occupied by forestland. The highest point is Mataesan.

Administrative divisions

Yŏnggwang County is divided into 1 ŭp, 1 rodongjagu and 24 ri :

History

It was originally part of Hamju County, from which it was separated in a general reorganization of local government in 1952. Formerly known as Oro, it was named in 1981 after Yŏnggwang,. It is the site of one of the steles erected by Chinhŭng of Silla in the 6th century.

Economy

Despite the rugged terrain, there is agriculture in Yŏnggwang. Local crops include maize, rice, soybeans, wheat, and barley. Small-scale orchards and livestock operations also exist. There are deposits of coal and gold. In addition, hydroelectric power is produced in the region.

Transportation

The Sinhŭng and Changjin lines of the Korean State Railway pass through the county, which is also served by roads.