Before the liberation of Korea from Japan's colonial rule on August 15, Juche 34 (1945), this river had been a disastrous one taking many lives and inflicting much material damage in rainy season every year.

Thanks to the patriotic zeal of the people who turned out under the guidance of President Kim Il Sung, the Pothong River improvement project was successfully completed in 1946.

According to data available, downpour was witnessed in Pyongyang that year, but Pyongyangites suffered no damage.

The appearance around the river has been completely changed by their concerted efforts.

When the Fatherland Liberation War (June 25, 1950-July 27, 1953) ended with the victory of the Korean people, there were few trees on the banks of the river. But the banks of the river are now thickly covered with many trees and flower shrubs like willow, dawn redwood and rose.

Pleasure parks, lotus ponds and boating-grounds, and such large-scale streets as Chollima Street, Rakwon Street and Mansudae Street came into being in the area around the Pothong River.

And sporting and cultural facilities like the People's Palace of Culture, Pyongyang Indoor Stadium, Changgwang Health Complex, Ice Rink and the Chongryu Restaurant were built as monumental edifices in the area.

At present, the construction of the Pothong Riverside Terraced Residential District is being accelerated under the grand plan of the Workers' Party of Korea for architectural development and its architectural idea based on the people-first principle.