Paegam County
# Paegam County

Paegam County is a kun, or county, in Ryanggang province, North Korea.

## Geography

The terrain is mountainous, as Paegam lies atop the Paektu Plateau, the site of North Korea's tallest mountains. The Hamgyŏng and Machŏllyŏng ranges pass through the county; the highest point is Kwesangbong. There are many streams; the chief of these is the Sodusu (서두수). There are also wetlands; some 91% of the county's area is forestland.

## Administrative divisions

Paegam county is divided into 1 ŭp (town), 19 rodongjagu (workers' districts) and 4 ri (villages):

* Paegam-ŭp (백암읍/白岩邑)
* Chŭngsal-lodongjagu (증산로동자구/甑山勞動者區)
* Ch'ŏngbong-rodongjagu (청봉로동자구/靑峰勞動者區)
* Ch'ŏnsu-rodongjagu (천수로동자구/天水勞動者區)
* Kwangdŏng-rodongjagu (광덕로동자구/廣德勞動者區)
* Okch'ŏl-lodongjagu (옥천로동자구/玉川勞動者區)
* Paegam-rodongjagu (백암로동자구/白岩勞動者區)
* Pakch'ŏl-lodongjagu (박천로동자구/博川勞動者區)
* Puhŭng-rodongjagu (부흥로동자구/復興勞動者區)
* Samsup'yŏng-rodonjagu (삼수평로동자구/三水坪勞動者區)
* Sanyang-rodongjagu (산양로동자구/山羊勞動者區)
* Sebong-rodongjagu (세봉로동자구/세봉勞動者區)
* Taet'aeng-rodongjagu (대택로동자구/大澤勞動者區)
* Tonggye-rodongjagu (동계로동자구/東溪勞動者區)
* Tŏngrim-rodongjagu (덕립로동자구/德立勞動者區)
* Ŭndŏng-rodongjagu (은덕로동자구/恩德勞動者區)
* Wŏnbong-rodongjagu (원봉로동자구/円峰勞動者區)
* Yanghŭng-rodongjagu (양흥로동자구/陽興勞動者區)
* Yŏlwŏlsib'o-rodongjagu (October 15 Workers' District) (10월15일로동자구/10月15日勞動者區)
* Yup'yŏng-rodongjagu (유평로동자구/楡坪勞動者區)
* Hwangt'o-ri (황토리/黃土里)
* Sangdam-ri (상담리/上潭里)
* Sŏdu-ri (서두리/西頭里)
* Yanggong-ri (양곡리/陽谷里)

## Climate

Due to its inland location, the county has a severely cold continental climate. Paegam also has the highest wind speeds of any district in North Korea.

## Economy

Mining and logging are important local industries. Mineral resources in the county include magnesite, alunite, kaolinite, copper, dolomite, tungsten, lead, zinc, gold and peat. Agriculture also plays a role, although only 4% of the county's land is cultivated. Local crops include wheat, barley, potatoes and soybeans. Livestock are also raised.

## Transportation

Paegam is connected to the national road and rail grids; the Paektusan Ch'ŏngnyŏn and Paengmu lines of the Korean State Railway pass through the county.

