In December 1952, during the Korean War, P'an'gyo was formed as a separate county from five myŏn (Nagyang, Pangjang, P'an'gyo, Ryongp'o, Sannae) of Ichŏn-gun and Yujin-myŏn of P'yŏnggang-gun.

Myŏn were administrative units below county (kun) level and are no longer used in North Korea.

P'an'gyo county is divided into 1 ŭp (town) and 22 ri (villages): Agriculture is difficult due to the rugged terrain; however, crops are raised here including maize, potatoes, soybeans, wheat, and barley.

Mining is supported by local deposits of copper and nickel.

P'an'gyo county is served by roads and by several stations on the Ch'ŏngnyŏn Ich'ŏn line of the Korean State Railway.