List of districts in South Korea explained
District |
Othername1: | Autonomous district |
Othername2: | non-autonomous district |
Hangul: | 구 |
Rr: | gu |
Mr: | ku |
Hangul1: | 자치구 |
Rr1: | jachigu |
Mr1: | chach'igu |
Hangul2: | 일반구 |
Rr2: | ilbangu |
Mr2: | ilban'gu |
A gu, or district, is an administrative unit in South Korea. There are two kinds of districts in South Korea. One is the autonomous district of special and metropolitan cities, which is a municipal entity similar to a city with its own mayor along with its own legislative council. The other is the non-autonomous district of municipal cities. Cities with over 500,000 people are allowed to have gu (notable exceptions to this rule are the cities of Gimhae, Hwaseong, and Namyangju).
List of districts in South Korea
District | Korean | Hanja | City | Population
| Area
| Founded
| Type |
---|
Danwon-gu | Korean: 단원구 | Korean: 檀園區 | Ansan | 335,849 | 91.23 | 2002-11-01 | Non-autonomous |
Sangnok-gu | Korean: 상록구 | Korean: 常綠區 | Ansan | 380,574 | 57.83 | 2002-11-01 | Non-autonomous |
Dongan-gu | Korean: 동안구 | Korean: 東安區 | Anyang | 353,381 | 21.92 | 1992-10-01 | Non-autonomous |
Manan-gu | Korean: 만안구 | Korean: 萬安區 | Anyang | 265,462 | 36.54 | 1992-10-01 | Non-autonomous |
Buk District | Korean: 북구 | Korean: 北區 | Busan | 309,602 | 39.44 | 1978-02-15 | Autonomous |
Busanjin District | Korean: 부산진구 | Korean: 釜山鎭區 | Busan | 394,931 | 29.69 | 1957-01-01 | Autonomous |
Dong District | Korean: 동구 | Korean: 東區 | Busan | 101,251 | 9.78 | 1957-01-01 | Autonomous |
Dongnae District | Korean: 동래구 | Korean: 東萊區 | Busan | 282,732 | 16.63 | 1957-01-01 | Autonomous |
Gangseo District | Korean: 강서구 | Korean: 江西區 | Busan | 62,963 | 180.24 | 1988-01-01 | Autonomous |
Geumjeong District | Korean: 금정구 | Korean: 金井區 | Busan | 255,979 | 65.17 | 1988-01-01 | Autonomous |
Haeundae District | Korean: 해운대구 | Korean: 海雲臺區 | Busan | 425,872 | 51.46 | 1980-01-01 | Autonomous |
Jung District | Korean: 중구 | Korean: 中區 | Busan | 49,011 | 2.82 | 1957-01-01 | Autonomous |
Nam District | Korean: 남구 | Korean: 南區 | Busan | 296,955 | 26.77 | 1975-10-01 | Autonomous |
Saha District | Korean: 사하구 | Korean: 沙下區 | Busan | 357,060 | 40.96 | 1983-12-15 | Autonomous |
Sasang District | Korean: 사상구 | Korean: 沙上區 | Busan | 256,347 | 36.06 | 1995-03-01 | Autonomous |
Seo District | Korean: 서구 | Korean: 西區 | Busan | 124,896 | 13.88 | 1957-01-01 | Autonomous |
Suyeong District | Korean: 수영구 | Korean: 水營區 | Busan | 177,575 | 10.20 | 1995-03-01 | Autonomous |
Yeongdo District | Korean: 영도구 | Korean: 影島區 | Busan | 144,852 | 14.13 | 1957-01-01 | Autonomous |
Yeonje District | Korean: 연제구 | Korean: 蓮堤區 | Busan | 214,056 | 12.08 | 1995-03-01 | Autonomous |
Jinhae-gu | Korean: 진해구 | Korean: 鎭海區 | Changwon | 179,015 | 120.14 | 2010-07-01 | Non-autonomous |
Masanhappo-gu | Korean: 마산합포구 | Korean: 馬山合浦區 | Changwon | 186,757 | 240.23 | 2010-07-01 | Non-autonomous |
Masanhoewon-gu | Korean: 마산회원구 | Korean: 馬山會原區 | Changwon | 223,956 | 90.58 | 2010-07-01 | Non-autonomous |
Seongsan-gu | Korean: 성산구 | Korean: 城山區 | Changwon | 250,103 | 82.09 | 2010-07-01 | Non-autonomous |
Uichang-gu | Korean: 의창구 | Korean: 義昌區 | Changwon | 250,702 | 211.22 | 2010-07-01 | Non-autonomous |
Heungdeok-gu | Korean: 흥덕구 | Korean: 興德區 | Cheongju | 256,681 | 198.27 | 1995-01-01 | Non-autonomous |
Sangdang-gu | Korean: 상당구 | Korean: 上黨區 | Cheongju | 179,867 | 404.44 | 1995-01-01 | Non-autonomous |
Cheongwon-gu | Korean: 청원구 | Korean: 淸原區 | Cheongju | 162,422 | 214.99 | 2014-07-01 | Non-autonomous |
Seowon-gu | Korean: 서원구 | Korean: 西原區 | Cheongju | 228,659 | 114.88 | 2014-07-01 | Non-autonomous |
Dongnam-gu | Korean: 동남구 | Korean: 東南區 | Cheonan | 250,906 | 438.52 | 2008-06-23 | Non-autonomous |
Seobuk-gu | Korean: 서북구 | Korean: 西北區 | Cheonan | 315,577 | 197.70 | 2008-06-23 | Non-autonomous |
Jung District | Korean: 중구 | Korean: 中區 | Daegu | 77,095 | 7.06 | 1963-01-01 | Autonomous |
Dong District | Korean: 동구 | Korean: 東區 | Daegu | 341,616 | 182.22 | 1963-01-01 | Autonomous |
Seo District | Korean: 서구 | Korean: 西區 | Daegu | 223,681 | 17.48 | 1963-01-01 | Autonomous |
Nam District | Korean: 남구 | Korean: 南區 | Daegu | 169,765 | 17.44 | 1963-01-01 | Autonomous |
Buk District | Korean: 북구 | Korean: 北區 | Daegu | 450,852 | 94.09 | 1963-01-01 | Autonomous |
Suseong District | Korean: 수성구 | Korean: 壽城區 | Daegu | 461,473 | 76.46 | 1980-04-01 | Autonomous |
Dalseo District | Korean: 달서구 | Korean: 達西區 | Daegu | 606,178 | 62.34 | 1988-01-01 | Autonomous |
Daedeok District | Korean: 대덕구 | Korean: 大德區 | Daejeon | 207,312 | 68.45 | 1989-01-01 | Autonomous |
Dong District | Korean: 동구 | Korean: 東區 | Daejeon | 248,344 | 136.61 | 1977-09-01 | Autonomous |
Jung District | Korean: 중구 | Korean: 中區 | Daejeon | 77,095 | 7.06 | 1977-09-01 | Autonomous |
Seo District | Korean: 서구 | Korean: 西區 | Daejeon | 223,681 | 17.48 | 1988-01-01 | Autonomous |
Yuseong District | Korean: 유성구 | Korean: 儒城區 | Daejeon | 288,618 | 177.27 | 1989-01-01 | Autonomous |
Deogyang-gu | Korean: 덕양구 | Korean: 德陽區 | Goyang | 393,479 | 165.51 | 1996-03-01 | Non-autonomous |
Ilsandong-gu | Korean: 일산동구 | Korean: 一山東區 | Goyang | 275,159 | 59.13 | 1996-03-01 | Non-autonomous |
Ilsanseo-gu | Korean: 일산서구 | Korean: 一山西區 | Goyang | 289,745 | 42.77 | 2005-05-16 | Non-autonomous |
Buk District | Korean: 북구 | Korean: 北區 | Gwangju | 469,045 | 121.74 | 1980-04-01 | Autonomous |
Dong District | Korean: 동구 | Korean: 東區 | Gwangju | 101,582 | 48.86 | 1973-07-01 | Autonomous |
Gwangsan District | Korean: 광산구 | Korean: 光山區 | Gwangju | 370,527 | 222.91 | 1988-01-01 | Autonomous |
Nam District | Korean: 남구 | Korean: 南區 | Gwangju | 217,934 | 61.02 | 1995-09-01 | Autonomous |
Seo District | Korean: 서구 | Korean: 西區 | Gwangju | 302,280 | 46.71 | 1973-07-01 | Autonomous |
Bupyeong District | Korean: 부평구 | Korean: 富平區 | Incheon | 562,110 | 31.99 | 1968-01-01 | Autonomous |
Dong District | Korean: 동구 | Korean: 東區 | Incheon | 79,624 | 7.19 | 1968-01-01 | Autonomous |
Gyeyang District | Korean: 계양구 | Korean: 桂陽區 | Incheon | 345,671 | 45.58 | 1995-03-01 | Autonomous |
Jung District | Korean: 중구 | Korean: 中區 | Incheon | 93,520 | 123.09 | 1968-01-01 | Autonomous |
Namdong District | Korean: 남동구 | Korean: 南洞區 | Incheon | 491,038 | 56.99 | 1988-01-01 | Autonomous |
Michuhol District | Korean: 미추홀구 | Korean: 彌鄒忽區 | Incheon | 419,683 | 24.85 | 1968-01-01 | Autonomous |
Seo District | Korean: 서구 | Korean: 西區 | Incheon | 420,939 | 113.91 | 1988-01-01 | Autonomous |
Yeonsu District | Korean: 연수구 | Korean: 延壽區 | Incheon | 283,840 | 42.74 | 1995-03-01 | Autonomous |
Deokjin-gu | Korean: 덕진구 | Korean: 德津區 | Jeonju | 283,813 | 110.79 | 1989-05-01 | Non-autonomous |
Wansan-gu | Korean: 완산구 | Korean: 完山區 | Jeonju | 361,038 | 95.22 | 1989-05-01 | Non-autonomous |
Buk-gu | Korean: 북구 | Korean: 北區 | Pohang | 262,581 | 393.33 | 1995-01-01 | Non-autonomous |
Nam-gu | Korean: 남구 | Korean: 南區 | Pohang | 253,278 | 735.48 | 1995-01-01 | Non-autonomous |
Bundang-gu | Korean: 분당구 | Korean: 盆唐區 | Seongnam | 485,767 | 69.35 | 1991-09-17 | Non-autonomous |
Jungwon-gu | Korean: 중원구 | Korean: 中原區 | Seongnam | 256,298 | 26.38 | 1989-05-01 | Non-autonomous |
Sujeong-gu | Korean: 수정구 | Korean: 壽井區 | Seongnam | 237,986 | 45.99 | 1989-05-01 | Non-autonomous |
Dobong District | Korean: 도봉구 | Korean: 道峰區 | Seoul | 366,879 | 20.70 | 1973-07-01 | Autonomous |
Dongdaemun District | Korean: 동대문구 | Korean: 東大門區 | Seoul | 366,633 | 14.20 | 1943-06-10 | Autonomous |
Dongjak District | Korean: 동작구 | Korean: 銅雀區 | Seoul | 402,567 | 16.35 | 1980-04-01 | Autonomous |
Eunpyeong District | Korean: 은평구 | Korean: 恩平區 | Seoul | 491,741 | 29.71 | 1979-10-01 | Autonomous |
Gangbuk District | Korean: 강북구 | Korean: 江北區 | Seoul | 345,502 | 23.61 | 1995-03-01 | Autonomous |
Gangdong District | Korean: 강동구 | Korean: 江東區 | Seoul | 496,364 | 24.58 | 1979-10-01 | Autonomous |
Gangnam District | Korean: 강남구 | Korean: 江南區 | Seoul | 570,392 | 39.54 | 1975-10-01 | Autonomous |
Gangseo District | Korean: 강서구 | Korean: 江西區 | Seoul | 571,526 | 41.42 | 1977-09-01 | Autonomous |
Geumcheon District | Korean: 금천구 | Korean: 衿川區 | Seoul | 243,280 | 13.01 | 1995-03-01 | Autonomous |
Guro District | Korean: 구로구 | Korean: 九老區 | Seoul | 422,322 | 20.12 | 1980-04-01 | Autonomous |
Gwanak District | Korean: 관악구 | Korean: 冠岳區 | Seoul | 529,195 | 29.57 | 1973-07-01 | Autonomous |
Gwangjin District | Korean: 광진구 | Korean: 廣津區 | Seoul | 373,608 | 17.05 | 1995-03-01 | Autonomous |
Jongno District | Korean: 종로구 | Korean: 鍾路區 | Seoul | 169,217 | 23.91 | 1943-06-10 | Autonomous |
Jung District | Korean: 중구 | Korean: 中區 | Seoul | 132,224 | 9.96 | 1943-06-10 | Autonomous |
Jungnang District | Korean: 중랑구 | Korean: 中浪區 | Seoul | 425,668 | 18.51 | 1988-01-01 | Autonomous |
Mapo District | Korean: 마포구 | Korean: 麻浦區 | Seoul | 392,635 | 23.87 | 1944-11-01 | Autonomous |
Nowon District | Korean: 노원구 | Korean: 蘆原區 | Seoul | 605,756 | 35.44 | 1988-01-01 | Autonomous |
Seocho District | Korean: 서초구 | Korean: 瑞草區 | Seoul | 432,934 | 47.00 | 1988-01-01 | Autonomous |
Seodaemun District | Korean: 서대문구 | Korean: 西大門區 | Seoul | 318,467 | 17.60 | 1943-06-10 | Autonomous |
Seongbuk District | Korean: 성북구 | Korean: 城北區 | Seoul | 488,036 | 24.57 | 1949-08-13 | Autonomous |
Seongdong District | Korean: 성동구 | Korean: 城東區 | Seoul | 127,748 | 16.85 | 1943-06-10 | Autonomous |
Songpa District | Korean: 송파구 | Korean: 松坡區 | Seoul | 684,028 | 33.88 | 1988-01-01 | Autonomous |
Yangcheon District | Korean: 양천구 | Korean: 陽川區 | Seoul | 498,819 | 17.40 | 1988-01-01 | Autonomous |
Yeongdeungpo District | Korean: 영등포구 | Korean: 永登浦區 | Seoul | 403,062 | 24.56 | 1943-06-10 | Autonomous |
Yongsan District | Korean: 용산구 | Korean: 龍山區 | Seoul | 247,206 | 21.87 | 1943-06-10 | Autonomous |
Gwonseon-gu | Korean: 권선구 | Korean: 勸善區 | Suwon | 307,410 | 47.30 | 1988-07-01 | Non-autonomous |
Jangan-gu | Korean: 장안구 | Korean: 長安區 | Suwon | 293,485 | 33.17 | 1988-07-01 | Non-autonomous |
Paldal-gu | Korean: 팔달구 | Korean: 八達區 | Suwon | 214,653 | 13.08 | 1993-02-01 | Non-autonomous |
Yeongtong-gu | Korean: 영통구 | Korean: 靈通區 | Suwon | 261,008 | 27.46 | 2003-11-24 | Non-autonomous |
Buk District | Korean: 북구 | Korean: 北區 | Ulsan | 181,611 | 157.35 | 1997-07-15 | Autonomous |
Dong District | Korean: 동구 | Korean: 東區 | Ulsan | 170,639 | 36.01 | 1988-01-01 | Autonomous |
Jung District | Korean: 중구 | Korean: 中區 | Ulsan | 232,421 | 36.99 | 1985-07-15 | Autonomous |
Nam District | Korean: 남구 | Korean: 南區 | Ulsan | 343,487 | 72.55 | 1985-07-15 | Autonomous |
Cheoin-gu | Korean: 처인구 | Korean: 處仁區 | Yongin | 209,893 | 467.57 | 2005-10-31 | Non-autonomous |
Giheung-gu | Korean: 기흥구 | Korean: 器興區 | Yongin | 365,632 | 81.68 | 2005-10-31 | Non-autonomous |
Suji-gu | Korean: 수지구 | Korean: 水枝區 | Yongin | 314,757 | 42.10 | 2005-10-31 | Non-autonomous | |
Renamed districts
- Nam District → Michuhol, Incheon (1 July 2018)
- Ilsan-gu → Ilsandong-gu, Goyang (16 May 2005)
- Buk District → Bupyeong District, Incheon (1 March 1995)
- Jung-gu → Wonmi-gu, Bucheon (1 February 1993)
- Nam-gu → Sosa-gu, Bucheon (1 February 1993)
Defunct districts
- Happo-gu (Korean: 합포구; Korean: 合浦區), Masan (1 July 1990 – 1 January 2001)
- Hoewon-gu (Korean: 회원구; Korean: 會原區), Masan (1 July 1990 – 1 January 2001)
- Ulju-gu (Korean: 울주구; Korean: 蔚州區), Ulsan (1 January 1995 – 15 July 1997)
- Ojeong-gu (Korean: 오정구; Korean: 梧亭區), Bucheon (1 February 1993 – 4 July 2016)
- Sosa-gu (Korean: 소사구; Korean: 素砂區), Bucheon (1 January 1988 – 4 July 2016)
- Wonmi-gu (Korean: 원미구; Korean: 遠美區), Bucheon (1 January 1988 – 4 July 2016)
See also