Within North Korea, it is bounded by Tongch'ang to the south, Ch'angsŏng to the west, and Usi county in Chagang province to the east.

The terrain is steep and mountainous, with the Kangnam and Pinandŏk ranges both passing through the county.

There are various small streams, including the Tongch'ŏn (동천), Songgyech'ŏn (송계천), and Namch'ŏn (남천).

Due to the rugged terrain, only seven percent of Pyoktong's area is cultivated, while 80% is forested.

Pyŏktong county is divided into 1 ŭp (town) and 19 ri (villages): The average year-round temperature is 7.1 °C, plunging to a mean of -12.5 °C in January and rising to 23 °C in August.