Myonggan County

Myŏnggan County, formerly known as Hwasŏng County, is a kun, or county, in North Hamgyong province, North Korea. Unlike many Korean districts that date from the Joseon Dynasty, Hwasong was created after liberation. Yŏngan was established in 1952, separated from Myŏngch'ŏn. In 1967 Yŏngan was renamed to Myŏnggan, in 1981 to Hwasŏng, and in 2004 to Myŏnggan.

Myonggan County 명간군
County
Korean transcription(s)
• Hanja	明澗郡
• McCune-Reischauer	Myŏnggan kun
• Revised Romanization	Myeonggan-gun
Map of North Hamgyong showing the location of Myonggan
Country	North Korea
Province	North Hamgyong Province
Administrative divisions	1 ŭp, 3 labor districts, 22 ri
Area
• Total	1,140 km2 (440 sq mi)
Population  (2008[1])
• Total	99,557
• Density	87/km2 (230/sq mi)

Myŏnggan abuts the Sea of Japan (East Sea of Korea). Most of the land is rugged, with only one small plain along the Hwasongchon stream. The highest point in the county is Kiunbong. There are no ports, and the coastline is distinctively monotonous.

The chief streams of the county are the Ŏrangch'ŏn (Chosŏn'gŭl: 어랑천, Hancha: 漁郎川) and Myŏngganch'ŏn (Chosŏn'gŭl: 명간천, Hancha: 明澗川). More than 80% of the county is taken up by forestland.

Myŏnggan is known for its pear orchards. In addition, livestock are widely raised. There are also coal mines in the county.

Political Prison Camp No. 16 is a large prison labor colony in the western part of the county.^[2]

Administrative divisions

Myŏnggan County is divided into 1 ŭp (town), 3 rodongjagu (workers' districts) and 22 ri (villages):

Myŏnggan-ŭp Kŭktong-rodongjagu Pyongban-rodongjagu Ryanghwa-rodongjagu Ch'ŏngryong-ri Hamji-li Hap'yŏng-ri Hau-ri Hawŏl-li Honam-ri Hosal-li Hwaryong-ri Kosŏng-ri

Kŭndong-ri Kwang'am-ri Myŏngnam-ri Paengrong-ri Puam-ri Puhwa-ri Ripsŏng-ri Ryongdong-ri Ryongdŏng-ri Samp'o-ri Sangjang-ri Sinyang-ri Yangch'ŏl-li

Notes

1. North Korea: Administrative Division
2. "On the Map: Five Major North Korean Prison Camps", Washington Post, July 20, 2009