In order to exploit the rich iron deposits of the Musan region, the privately-owned Chosen Railway began construction of this line, calling it the Hambuk Line (not to be confused with the current Hambuk Line, which at that time was part of the Hamgyŏng Line).
In order to facilitate the transport of ironstone from the Musan Mining complex, the 33.6 km section between Sinch'am and Komusan was double-tracked, and electrification of the line was completed in 1977 [REF].