Regions of Korea explained

Korea has traditionally been divided into a number of unofficial regions that reflect historical, geographical, and dialect boundaries within the Peninsula.[1] Many of the names in the list below overlap or are obsolete today, with Honam, Yeongdong, Yeongnam, and the modern term Sudogwon being the only ones in wide use.

The names of Korea's traditional Eight Provinces are often also used as regional monikers.

List of eight regions

NameRRMCHangulHanjaDivisions today
HaesoHaeseoHaesŏKorean: 해서Korean: 海西N. Hwanghae and S. HwanghaeNorth
KwansoGwanseoKwansŏKorean: 관서Korean: 關西Pyongyang, Nampo, N. Pyongan, S. Pyongan, and ChagangNorth
KwanbukGwanbukKwanbukKorean: 관북Korean: 關北Rason, N. Hamgyong, S. Hamgyong, and RyanggangNorth
GwandongGwandongKwandongKorean: 관동Korean: 關東Gangwon (South), and Kangwon (North)Both
GyeonggiGyeonggiKyŏnggiKorean: 경기Korean: 京畿Seoul, Incheon, Gyeonggi, and KaesongBoth
HoseoHoseoHosŏKorean: 호서Korean: 湖西Daejeon, Sejong, N. Chungcheong, and S. ChungcheongSouth
HonamHonamHonamKorean: 호남Korean: 湖南Gwangju, N. Jeolla, S. Jeolla, and JejuSouth
YeongnamYeongnamRyŏngnamKorean: 영남(Korean: 령남)Korean: 嶺南Busan, Daegu, Ulsan, N. Gyeongsang, and S. GyeongsangSouth

Extra regions

NameRRMCHangulHanjaDescription
KwannamGwannamKwannamKorean: 관남Korean: 關南Southern part of Kwanbuk
KwanbukGwanbukKwanbukKorean: 관북Korean: 關北Northern part of Kwanbuk
YeongseoYeongseoRyŏngsŏKorean: 영서(Korean: 령서)Korean: 嶺西Western part of Gwandong
YeongdongYeongdongRyŏngdongKorean: 영동(Korean: 령동)Korean: 嶺東Eastern part of Gwandong
GihoGihoKihoKorean: 기호Korean: 畿湖Gyeonggi and Hoseo
JejuJejuChejuKorean: 제주Korean: 濟州Jeju Island (part of Honam)

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 지역 구분. National Geographic Information Institute. The National Atlas of Korea: Comprehensive Edition. March 2023. ko.