Korea has had administrative districts that can be considered provinces since the 7th century. These divisions were initially called ju in Unified Silla and Later Baekje, and there were nine in total. After Goryeo conquered these states in the 10th century, twelve divisions called mok were established, although they were reorganized into ten do in the 11th century.
After Joseon's conquest of Goryeo, it reorganized the peninsula into eight do in 1413. The provincial boundaries closely reflected major regional and dialect boundaries, and are still often referred to in Korean today simply as the Eight Provinces. In 1895, as part of the Gabo Reform, the country was redivided into 23 districts (Bu; 부; Korean: 府), which were replaced a year later by thirteen new provinces. The thirteen provinces of 1896 included three of the original eight provinces, with the five remaining original provinces divided into north and south halves (Bukdo (북도; Korean: 北道) and Namdo (남도; Korean: 南道) respectively). The thirteen provinces remained unchanged throughout the Japanese colonial period.
With the liberation of Korea in 1945, the Korean peninsula was divided into North Korea and South Korea, with the dividing line established along the 38th parallel. As a result, three provinces—Hwanghae, Gyeonggi, and Gangwon (Kangwŏn)—were divided into North Korea and South Korea in today's era. The special cities of Seoul (South Korea) and P'yŏngyang (North Korea) were formed in 1946. Between 1946 and 1954, five new provinces were created: Jeju in South Korea, and North and South Hwanghae, Chagang, and Ryanggang in North Korea. Since 1954, provincial boundaries in both the North and South have remained unchanged but new cities and special administrative regions have been created.
See main article: Three Kingdoms of Korea.
The Korean peninsula was mostly unified for the first time by the state Silla in the 7th century.[1] Silla's capital was Geumseong (now Gyeongju). It had five sub-capitals at Geumgwan-gyeong (now Gimhae), Namwon-gyeong (남원경, Namwon), Seowon-gyeong (Cheongju), Jungwon-gyeong (Chungju), and Bugwon-gyeong (Wonju).
The country was divided into nine provinces : three in the pre-660 territory of Silla, and three each in the territories of the former kingdoms Baekje and Goguryeo.
| 양주 | Korean: 良州 | ||||
| 강주 | Korean: 康州 | Western South Gyeongsang | |||
| 상주 | Korean: 尙州 | Western North Gyeongsang | |||
| 무주 | Korean: 武州 | ||||
| 전주 | Korean: 全州 | North Jeolla | |||
| 웅주 | Korean: 熊州 | South Chungcheong | |||
| 한주 | Korean: 漢州 | ||||
| 삭주 | Korean: 朔州 | Western Gangwon | |||
| 명주 | Korean: 溟州 | Myeongju | Eastern Gangwon |
Goryeo was established in the 10th century, and had its capital at Gaegyeong (now Kaesong). It conquered Silla and Later Baekje, and also conquered parts of the former territory of Goguryeo. Goryeo had three subcapitals: Donggyeong (now Gyeongju), Namgyeong (now Seoul), and Seogyeong (now Pyongyang).[2]
Goryeo reorganized its provinces several times. Originally, the country had one royal district around Gaegyeong and twelve administrative districts . In 995, the twelve districts were redivided into ten provinces . In 1005, the ten provinces were again redivided, this time into five provinces and two frontier districts . Gyojudo later became its own province after 1178, making it six provinces and two frontier districts.
| Yangju-mok (Korean: 揚州牧) | Gwannae-do | Seohae-do (西海道,서해도) | Hwanghae | Hanju | |
| Hwangju-mok (Korean: 黃州牧) | North Hwanghae | ||||
| Haeju-mok (Korean: 海州牧) | South Hwanghae | ||||
| Gwangju-mok (Korean: 廣州牧) | Yanggwang-do(楊廣道,양광도) | Gyeonggi | |||
| Chungju-mok (Korean: 忠州牧) | Jungwon-do | North Chungcheong | |||
| Cheongju-mok | Ungju | ||||
| Gongju-mok | Hanam-do | South Chungcheong | |||
| Jeonju-mok (Korean: 全州牧) | Gangnam-do | Jeolla-do(전라도) | Jeonbuk | Jeonju | |
| Naju-mok | Haeyang-do(해양도) | South Jeolla | Muju | ||
| Seungju-mok | |||||
| Sangju-mok | Yeongnam-do | Gyeongsang-do(경상도) | North Gyeongsang | Sangju | |
| Jinju-mok | Sannam-do | Western South Gyeongsang | Gangju | ||
| Yeongdong-do | Eastern South Gyeongsang | Yangju | |||
| — | Sakbang-do | Gyoju-do(교주도,交州道),also known as gyoju gangneungdo(交州江陵道,교주강릉도) | Gangwon | Sakju | |
| — | Donggye(東界,동계),also known as Dongbukmyeon(東北面,동북면) | Myeongju | |||
| — | Paeseo-do | Bukgye(北界,북계),Also known as Seobukmyeon(西北面,서북면)) | Pyeongan | — |
See main article: Eight Provinces (Korea).
In 1413, Korea (at that time called Joseon) was divided into eight provinces: Chungcheong, Gangwon, Gyeonggi, Gyeongsang, Jeolla, Hamgyŏng (originally called Yeonggil), Hwanghae (originally called P'unghae), and P'yŏngan.
In 1895, Korea was redivided into 23 districts (Bu; 부; Korean: 府), each named for the city or county that was its capital. The districts were short-lived, however, as the following year, the provincial system was restored.
In 1896, the former eight provinces were restored, with five of them (Chungcheong, Gyeongsang, Jeolla, Hamgyŏng, and P'yŏngan) being divided into North and South Provinces (Bukdo (북도; Korean: 北道) and Namdo (남도; Korean: 南道) respectively). The resulting system of thirteen provinces lasted until the Division of Korea in 1945.
The thirteen provinces were: North and South Chungcheong, Gangwon, Gyeonggi, North and South Gyeongsang, North and South Hamgyŏng, Hwanghae, North and South Jeolla, and North and South P'yŏngan.
Under Colonial Japanese rule, Korean provinces of Korean Empire, remained much the same, only taking on the Japanese reading of the hanja. The Provinces of Chōsen were:
| Japanese name | Kanji | Kana | Korean name | Hangul | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chūseihoku-dō | Japanese: 忠清北道 | Japanese: ちゅうせいほくどう | Chungcheongbuk-do | Korean: 충청북도 | |
| Chūseinan-dō | Japanese: 忠淸南道 | Japanese: ちゅうせいなんどう | Chungcheongnam-do | Korean: 충청남도 | |
| Keishōhoku-dō | Japanese: 慶尚北道 | Japanese: けいしょうほくどう | Gyeongsangbuk-do | Korean: 경상북도 | |
| Keishōnan-dō | Japanese: 慶尚南道 | Japanese: けいしょうなんどう | Gyeongsangnam-do | Korean: 경상남도 | |
| Heianhoku-dō | Japanese: 平安北道 | Japanese: へいあんほくどう | Pyeonganbuk-do | Korean: 평안북도 | |
| Heian'nan-dō | Japanese: 平安南道 | Japanese: へいあんなんどう | Pyeongannam-do | Korean: 평안남도 | |
| Kōgen-dō | Japanese: 江原道 | Japanese: こうげんどう | Gangwon-do | Korean: 강원도 | |
| Kōkai-dō | Japanese: 黃海道 | Japanese: こうかいどう | Hwanghae-do | Korean: 황해도 | |
| Kankyōhoku-dō | Japanese: 咸鏡北道 | Japanese: かんきょうほくどう | Hamgyeongbuk-do | Korean: 함경북도 | |
| Kankyōnan-dō | Japanese: 咸鏡南道 | Japanese: かんきょうなんどう | Hamgyeongnam-do | Korean: 함경남도 | |
| Zenranan-dō | Japanese: 全羅南道 | Japanese: ぜんらなんどう | Jeollanam-do | Korean: 전라남도 | |
| Zenrahoku-dō | Japanese: 全羅北道 | Japanese: ぜんらほくどう | Jeollabuk-do | Korean: 전라북도 | |
| Keiki-dō | Japanese: 京畿道 | Japanese: けいきどう | Gyeonggi-do | Korean: 경기도 |
See main article: Provinces of North Korea and Provinces of South Korea.
See also: Administrative divisions of North Korea, Special cities of North Korea, Administrative divisions of South Korea and Special cities of South Korea.
At the end of World War II in 1945, Korea was divided into Northern Korea and Southern Korea under trusteeship of the Soviet Union and the United States. The peninsula was divided at the 38th parallel in 1945. In 1948, the two zones became the independent countries of North Korea and South Korea.
Three provinces—Hwanghae, Gyeonggi, and Gangwon—were divided by the 38th parallel.
Also in 1946, the cities of Seoul in the south and Pyongyang in the north separated from Gyeonggi and South Pyongan Provinces respectively to become Special Cities. Both North Korea and South Korea have subsequently upgraded other cities to a level equal to a province, and these cities (special cities of North Korea and special cities of South Korea [''qq.v.'']) are sometimes counted along with provinces.
Finally, the new provinces of Jeju Province (in the south, in 1946) and Chagang Province (in the north, 1949) were formed, from parts of South Jeolla and North Pyongan respectively. In 1954, Ryanggang Province was split from South Hamgyong and Hwanghae was divided into North and South Hwanghae Provinces.
The following table lists the present provincial divisions in the Korean Peninsula.
| RR Romaja | M–R Romaja | Hangul/Chosongul | Hanja | ISO | Type | Area | Capital | Region | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Busan | Pusan | Korean: 부산시 | Korean: 釜山市 | KR-26 | City | 767 | Yeonje | Yeongnam | South Korea | |
| North Chungcheong | North Ch'ungch'ŏng | Korean: 충청북도 | Korean: 忠清北道 | KR-43 | Province | 7,436 | Cheongju | Hoseo | South Korea | |
| South Chungcheong | South Ch'ungch'ŏng | Korean: 충청남도 | Korean: 忠清南道 | KR-44 | Province | 8,352 | Hongseong | Hoseo | South Korea | |
| Daegu | Taegu | Korean: 대구시 | Korean: 大邱市 | KR-27 | City | 884 | Jung | Yeongnam | South Korea | |
| Daejeon | Taejŏn | Korean: 대전시 | Korean: 大田市 | KR-30 | City | 539 | Seo | Hoseo | South Korea | |
| Gangwon | Kangwŏn | Korean: 강원도 | Korean: 江原道 | KR-42 | Province | 16,894 | Chuncheon | Gwandong | South Korea | |
| Gangwon | Kangwŏn | Korean: 강원도 | Korean: 江原道 | KP-07 | Province | 11,091 | Wonsan | Gwandong | North Korea | |
| Gwangju | Kwangju | Korean: 광주시 | Korean: 光州市 | KR-29 | City | 501 | Seo | Honam | South Korea | |
| Gyeonggi | Kyŏnggi | Korean: 경기도 | Korean: 京畿道 | KR-41 | Province | 10,131 | Suwon | Sudogwon | South Korea | |
| North Gyeongsang | North Kyŏngsang | Korean: 경상북도 | Korean: 慶尙北道 | KR-47 | Province | 19,440 | Andong | Yeongnam | South Korea | |
| South Gyeongsang | South Kyŏngsang | Korean: 경상남도 | Korean: 慶尙南道 | KR-48 | Province | 11,859 | Changwon | Yeongnam | South Korea | |
| North Hamgyeong | North Hamgyŏng | Korean: 함경북도 | Korean: 咸鏡北道 | KP-09 | Province | 15,980 | Chongjin | Kwanbuk | North Korea | |
| South Hamgyeong | South Hamgyŏng | Korean: 함경남도 | Korean: 咸鏡南道 | KP-08 | Province | 18,534 | Hamhung | Kwannam | North Korea | |
| North Hwanghae | North Hwanghae | Korean: 황해북도 | Korean: 黃海北道 | KP-06 | Province | 8,154 | Sariwon | Haeso | North Korea | |
| South Hwanghae | South Hwanghae | Korean: 황해남도 | Korean: 黃海南道 | KP-05 | Province | 8,450 | Haeju | Haeso | North Korea | |
| Incheon | Inch'ŏn | Korean: 인천시 | Korean: 仁川市 | KR-28 | City | 1,029 | Namdong | Sudogwon | South Korea | |
| Jagang | Chagang | Korean: 자강도 | Korean: 慈江道 | KP-04 | Province | 16,765 | Kanggye | Kwanso | North Korea | |
| Jeju | Cheju | Korean: 제주도 | Korean: 濟州道 | KR-49 | Province | 1,846 | Jeju City | Jejudo | South Korea | |
| North Jeolla | North Chŏlla | Korean: 전북특별자치도 | Korean: 全北特別自治道 | KR-45 | Province | 8,043 | Jeonju | Honam | South Korea | |
| South Jeolla | South Chŏlla | Korean: 전라남도 | Korean: 全羅南道 | KR-46 | Province | 11,858 | Muan | Honam | South Korea | |
| Nampo | Namp'o | Korean: 남포시 | Korean: 南浦市 | KP-?? | City | 829 | Kangsŏ | Kwanso | North Korea | |
| Naseon | Rasŏn | Korean: 나선시/라선시 | Korean: 羅先市 | KP-13 | City | 746 | Rajin | Kwanbuk | North Korea | |
| North Pyeongan | North P'yŏngan | Korean: 평안북도 | Korean: 平安北道 | KP-03 | Province | 12,680 | Sinuiju | Kwanso | North Korea | |
| South Pyeongan | South P'yŏngan | Korean: 평안남도 | Korean: 平安南道 | KP-02 | Province | 11,891 | Pyongsong | Kwanso | North Korea | |
| Pyeongyang | P'yŏngyang | Korean: 평양시 | Korean: 平壤市 | KP-01 | City | 1,100 | Chung | Kwanso | North Korea | |
| Gaeseong | Kaesŏng | Korean: 개성시 | Korean: 開城市 | none | City | 442 | Kaepung | Haeso | North Korea | |
| Yanggang | Ryanggang | Korean: 양강도/량강도 | Korean: 兩江道 | KP-10 | Province | 13,880 | Hyesan | Kwannam | North Korea | |
| Sejong | Sejong | Korean: 세종시 | Korean: 世宗市 | KR-50 | City | 465 | Hansol | Hoseo | South Korea | |
| Seoul | Sŏul | Korean: 서울시 | Korean: 서울市[1] | KR-11 | City | 605 | Jung | Sudogwon | South Korea | |
| Ulsan | Ulsan | Korean: 울산시 | Korean: 蔚山市 | KR-31 | City | 1,057 | Nam | Yeongnam | South Korea |