<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0206</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2017-01-17</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>1</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001031296</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>FIRSTENERGY CORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>FE</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001173003</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>DEMETRIOU STEVEN J.</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>76 S. MAIN ST.</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>AKRON</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>OH</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>44308</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <footnotes></footnotes>

    <remarks>On January 17, 2017, Mr. Demetriou was elected a director of FirstEnergy Corp. Exhibit 24: Power of Attorney (attached)</remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Jennifer L. Geyer, attorney-in-fact</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2017-01-23</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
