The region was renamed as Hwaju, and fortresses were constructed including the famous Cheolli Jangseong.

[3] The regions that forms modern day Yodok County today, were administered under Yonghung County(formed as a result of a subdivision change in 1895) as follows,[3] Sonhungmyon was a myon that was originally known as Sondokmyon in 1907, was named as Sonhung in 1910.The region was mountainous and known for growing potatoes, beans and Foxtail millets, and was known for grazing cows and the production of timber.a branch of the Yonghung river called the Bulryusu was a river known to be a ritual site for kings and housed the Jinjung temple where an oral story of a buddhist monk exists.It also had ruins of a fortress called Pyongchonsansong.

Hwengchonmyon hosted an ancient fortress ruin called Gocholongsongji.It also was known for its market of livestock.

Yodŏk county is divided into 1 ŭp (town) and 21 ri (villages): Due to the rugged terrain, agriculture is nearly impossible.

However, a few farms are tucked into the mountains, harvesting maize, soybeans, millet, wheat and barley.