The Hamgyŏng and Machŏllyŏng ranges pass through the county; the highest point is Kwesangbong.

Paegam county is divided into 1 ŭp (town), 19 rodongjagu (workers' districts) and 4 ri (villages): Due to its inland location, the county has a severely cold continental climate.

Paegam also has the highest wind speeds of any district in North Korea.

Mineral resources in the county include magnesite, alunite, kaolinite, copper, dolomite, tungsten, lead, zinc, gold and peat.

Paegam is connected to the national road and rail grids; the Paektusan Ch'ŏngnyŏn and Paengmu lines of the Korean State Railway pass through the county.