Unlike many Korean districts that date from the Joseon Dynasty, Hwasong was created after liberation.

Most of the land is rugged, with only one small plain along the Hwasongchon stream.

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).

16 is a large prison labor colony in the western part of the county.

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