Hŭngnam is a port city located on the eastern coast of North Korea along the Korean East Sea. It serves as a coastal district situated only 13 kilometres (8 miles) from the slightly inland city of Hamhung, which is the second largest city in the country.
In 2005, the former independent city of Hŭngnam was officially reorganized to become a ward of Hamhung. It remains a significant coastal location within the regional infrastructure of the eastern coastline.