The 12.4 km (7.7 mi) section from Kowŏn to Kŭmya was originally opened by the Chosen Government Railway (Sentetsu) on 21 July 1916 as part of its Hamgyŏng Line.

On 1 February 1945 the Ch'ongjin−Ch'ongam section was opened,[2] however due to the defeat of Japan in the Pacific War, Sentetsu was unable to complete the remainder of the line.

After the end of the Korean War, construction of the line was resumed with the support of People's Republic of China and the Soviet Union, being completed on 10 June 1965.

With the construction of a new section between Kalli and Paesanjŏm the Ryongsŏng Line was separated from the former P'yŏngwon Line; in 1993 construction of the bypass between Puraesan and Kowŏn was completed.

[3] The following passenger trains were scheduled on this line in the 2002 passenger timetable:[4] A yellow background in the "Distance" box indicates that section of the line is not electrified.