[1] This line traverses a very mountainous area; it has a ruling grade of 33‰ and a minimum curve radius of 250 metres.

Service facilities on the line are at Hyesan for locomotives and at Wiyŏn and Paeg'am for rolling stock.

[2] In order to exploit the Paektusan region's abundant forest and mineral resources, the Yanggang Forest Development Railway planned construction of a line, dubbed Hambuk Line, running from Kilju to Hyesanjin (now Hyesan Ch'ŏngnyŏn) via Hapsu, along with a branch from Hapsu to Komusan, already at the beginning of the 1920s.

Sentetsu finally began construction of the line in May 1931, with the first section, 57.2 km (35.5 mi) from Kilju to Hapsu, being opened on 1 November 1933.

Ore is shipped from Namgye, talc, kaolin and magnesite from Simp'o-ri, and iron sulphide from Unhŭng.