P’yŏngsŏng, city, capital of South P’yŏngan do (province), western North Korea, located about 20 miles (32 km) northeast of P’yŏngyang, the national capital. P’yŏngsŏng, a planned city, was built in the 1960s near the old provincial capital of Sain-ni, at a place formerly called Sainjang, once only a stop on the P’yŏngyang-Yŏnghŭng rail line. Industry in the late 20th century included chemicals and a large synthetic-leather factory, designated one of North Korea’s major development projects. In addition to its administrative functions, P’yŏngsŏng is a scientific and cultural centre. Pop. (2008) 236,583.