The first historical recorded names for this region was Paji (파지; 巴只) and Sonwi (선위; 宣威).

In the winter, its climate is continental and the weather is bitterly cold; however, the influence of the Rangrim Mountains makes Chŏngp'yŏng's climate milder than that of the Yellow Sea coast.

Chŏngp'yong county is divided into 1 ŭp (town), 2 rodongjagu (workers' districts) and 42 ri (villages): Rice is cultivated on the level ground of the southeast, where the soil is fertile.

Due to the county's coastal location, fishing is also practised.

Chŏngp'yŏng county is served by the P'yŏngra Line of the Korean State Railway.