SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                             Washington, D. C. 20549

                                    FORM 8-K

                                 CURRENT REPORT

                     PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
                         SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

         Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported) April 18, 2003



Commission      Registrant; State of Incorporation;          I.R.S. Employer
File Number     Address; and Telephone Number               Identification No.
-----------     --------------------------------------      ------------------

333-21011       FIRSTENERGY CORP.                               34-1843785
                (An Ohio Corporation)
                76 South Main Street
                Akron, Ohio  44308
                Telephone (800)736-3402








Item 5.  Other Events


     On April 18, 2003,  FirstEnergy Corp. divested its ownership in GPU Empresa
Distribuidora  Electrica  Regional  S.A. and  affiliates  (Emdersa)  through the
abandonment of its shares in Emdersa's parent company,  GPU Argentina  Holdings,
Inc. The  abandonment  involved the  tendering  of  FirstEnergy's  shares in GPU
Argentina Holdings back to that company.

     Since the merger with the former GPU, Inc. in November of 2001, FirstEnergy
has  explored  a  variety  of  alternatives  to  divest  Emdersa,   an  electric
distribution  holding  company in  Argentina,  which was  acquired  through  the
merger.  However,  difficult  economic  conditions in Argentina  have  prevented
FirstEnergy from completing a sale transaction.

     Prior  to  the  abandonment,   FirstEnergy   recorded  a  foreign  currency
translation adjustment (CTA) loss of $90 million through its other comprehensive
income  (OCI) - a  component  of common  shareholders'  equity.  The CTA reduced
FirstEnergy's common shareholders' equity and did not affect its net income.

     As a result of the  abandonment,  FirstEnergy  will  recognize  a one-time,
non-cash  charge of $63  million,  or $0.21 per share in the  second  quarter of
2003.  This charge is the result of realizing the CTA losses through its current
period earnings ($90 million, or $0.30 per share),  partially offset by the gain
recognized from eliminating its investment in Emdersa ($27 million, or $0.09 per
share). Since FirstEnergy had previously recorded $90 million of CTA adjustments
in OCI,  the net effect of the $63 million  charge will be an increase in common
shareholders' equity of $27 million.

     The $63 million charge does not include the anticipated income tax benefits
related to the abandonment. These tax benefits will be fully reserved during the
second  quarter.  FirstEnergy  anticipates  tax benefits of  approximately  $129
million,  of which $50 million would  increase net income in the period in which
it becomes  probable those benefits will be realized.  The remaining $79 million
tax benefit would reduce goodwill  recognized in connection with the acquisition
of GPU. When realized,  the $129 million of tax benefits will represent positive
cash  flow for  FirstEnergy  and  increase  common  shareholders'  equity by $50
million.

     This Form 8-K  includes  forward-looking  statements  based on  information
currently available to management.  Such statements are subject to certain risks
and uncertainties.  These statements  typically contain, but are not limited to,
the terms "anticipate," "potential," "expect," "believe," "estimate" and similar
words.  Actual  results  may  differ  materially  due to the speed and nature of
increased  competition  and  deregulation  in  the  electric  utility  industry,
economic or weather  conditions  affecting future sales and margins,  changes in
markets for energy  services,  changing  energy market prices,  legislative  and
regulatory changes (including revised environmental requirements),  availability
and cost of capital,  inability to accomplish or realize anticipated benefits of
strategic goals and other similar factors.

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                                    SIGNATURE



     Pursuant to the  requirements  of the Securities  Exchange Act of 1934, the
Registrant  has duly  caused  this  report  to be  signed  on its  behalf by the
undersigned thereunto duly authorized.


April 18, 2003



                                             FIRSTENERGY CORP.
                                             -----------------
                                                Registrant



                                             /s/ Jeffrey R. Kalata
                                             --------------------------
                                                 Jeffrey R. Kalata
                                                Assistant Controller

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