List of cities in North Korea explained

The important cities of North Korea have self-governing status equivalent to that of provinces. Pyongyang, the largest city and capital, is classified as a chikhalsi (capital city), while three cities (see the list below) are classified as t'ŭkpyŏlsi (special city). Other cities are classified as si (city) and are under provincial jurisdiction, at the same level as counties (see Administrative divisions of North Korea).

List

Notes:

• All population figures come from the 2008 North Korean census.
• Several former special cities have been re-merged with their provinces, including Chongjin, Hamhung and Kaesong.
• Rason was annexed into North Hamgyong Province in 2004, but was later promoted back to special city in 2010 to help manage it for foreign investment.
• Chosŏn'gŭl has replaced Hancha; Hancha has not been officially used in North Korea since the 1950s.

Name	Korean		No.
Chosŏn'gŭl	Hancha
	direct-administered city			1
	special city			3
	special-level city			0
	city			25^[1]

City	Chosŏn'gŭl	Hancha	Province	Population	Founded
Anju			South Pyongan	240,117	1987-08-
Chongjin			North Hamgyong	667,929	1985-　-
Chongju			North Pyongan	189,742	1994-　-
Haeju			South Hwanghae	273,300	1945-09-02
Hamhung			South Hamgyong	768,551	1967-　-
Hoeryong			North Hamgyong	153,532	1991-07-08
Huichon			Chagang	168,180	1967-　-
Hyesan			Ryanggang	192,680	1954-10-
Kaechon			South Pyongan	319,554	1990-08-
Kaesong			AC	308,440	2019-02-28
Kanggye			Chagang	251,971	1949-01-
Kimchaek			North Hamgyong	207,299	1953-　-
Kusong			North Pyongan	196,515	1967-10-
Manpo			Chagang	116,760	1961-10-
Munchon			Kangwon	122,934	1991-05-
Nampo			AB	366,341	2011-02-15
Pyongsong			South Pyongan	284,386	1969-　-
Pyongyang			AA	3,255,288	1946-09-
Rason			AB	196,954	2010-01-05
Sariwon			North Hwanghae	307,764	1947-　-
Samjiyon			Ryanggang	31,471	2019-12-10
Sinpo			South Hamgyong	152,759	1960-　-
Sinuiju			North Pyongan	359,341	1947-　-
Songrim			North Hwanghae	128,831	1947-　-
Sunchon			South Pyongan	297,317	1983-10-
Tokchon			South Pyongan	237,133	1986-06-
Tanchon			South Hamgyong	345,876	1983-　-
Wonsan			Kangwon	363,127	1946-09-

(Note: foundation dates are the dates the cities were legally founded as their current status by the North Korean government. They all existed as prior settlements before these dates.)

See also

• Administrative divisions of North Korea
• Special cities of North Korea
• List of cities in South Korea
• Geography of North Korea

Further reading

• Dormels, Rainer. North Korea's Cities: Industrial facilities, internal structures and typification. Jimoondang, 2014.

Notes and References

1. Web site: 행정구역 수 . Republic of Korea Statistics Office. 2023-12-20 . 2024-04-19.