List of cities in South Korea

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The largest cities of South Korea have an autonomous status equivalent to that of provinces. Seoul, the largest city and capital, is classified as a teukbyeolsi (Special City), while the next six-largest cities are classified as gwangyeoksi (Metropolitan Cities; see: List of special cities of South Korea). Smaller cities are classified as si ("cities") and are under provincial jurisdiction, at the same level as counties.

City status[]

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South Korean law requires the population of a county to generally be 150,000 or greater for the passage of a special legislative bill by the National Assembly such as Gyeryong to be designated a city.

Classifications for large municipal cities[]

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The national government can designate cities of at least 500,000 inhabitants as special status cities. This status expands the scope of administrative authority delegated from the provincial government to the city government. There is no legal standard for becoming a Metropolitan city, but it was usually promoted to a metropolitan city when the population was close to 1,000,000. However, considering that there are four cities in Suwon, Changwon, Goyang, and Yongin that have a population of more than 1 million but have not become metropolitan cities, there is no further promotion.

Specific city[]

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A specific city is a municipal city that has a population greater than 500,000 and has been designated as such by an order of the national government under Article 175 of the Local Autonomy Law. Specific cities are given powers to subdivide themselves into non-autonomous districts (일반구; 一般區) but, not all specific cities are subdivided into non-autonomous districts such as Bucheon, Gimhae, Hwaseong, or Namyangju. Currently, South Korea has a total of 15 Specific cities.

List[]

Notes

• The name "Seoul" does not originate from hanja. The official Chinese translation is written as 首爾/首尔, which is a transcription based on the pronunciation of "Seoul", but 漢城/汉城 remains frequently used. As an affix or abbreviation, the character gyeong (京), which means "capital", is used.
• Seoul was designated a "Special Independent City" (Teukbyeol-jayusi; 특별자유시; 特別自由市) separate from Gyeonggi Province on August 16, 1946; it became a "Special City" on August 15, 1949.

Name		Korean		No.
		Hangul	Hanja
	Special City	특별시	特別市	1
	Special Autonomous City	특별자치시	特別自治市	1
	Metropolitan City	광역시	廣域市	6
	Specific City	특정시	特定市	15
	Administrative City	행정시	行政市	2
	City	시	市	60

City	Hangul	Hanja	Province	Population (2017)	Area	Density	Founded
Andong	안동시	安東市	North Gyeongsang	168,226	1521.26	110.6	1963-01-01
Ansan	안산시	安山市	Gyeonggi	689,326	149.06	4624.5	1986-01-01
Anseong	안성시	安城市	Gyeonggi	182,784	553.47	330.3	1998-04-01
Anyang	안양시	安養市	Gyeonggi	598,392	58.46	10235.9	1973-07-01
Asan	아산시	牙山市	South Chungcheong	303,043	542.15	559.0	1986-01-01
Boryeong	보령시	保寧市	South Chungcheong	103,620	569.01	182.1	1986-01-01
Bucheon	부천시	富川市	Gyeonggi	851,245	53.40	15940.9	1973-07-01
Busan	부산광역시	釜山廣域市	City-cnone	3,496,779	765.94	4565.3	1963-01-01
Changwon	창원시	昌原市	South Gyeongsang	1,063,116	736.34	1443.8	1980-04-01
Cheonan	천안시	天安市	South Chungcheong	619,286	636.22	973.4	1963-01-01
Cheongju	청주시	淸州市	North Chungcheong	835,802	153.45	5446.7	1949-08-15
Chuncheon	춘천시	春川市	Gangwon	280,565	1116.35	251.3	1949-08-15
Chungju	충주시	忠州市	North Chungcheong	208,288	983.70	211.7	1956-07-08
Daegu	대구광역시	大邱廣域市	City-cnone	2,484,688	885.60	2805.7	1981-07-01
Daejeon	대전광역시	大田廣域市	City-cnone	1,514,354	539.86	2805.1	1989-01-01
Dangjin	당진시	唐津市	South Chungcheong	166,782	694.08	240.3	2012-01-01
Dongducheon	동두천시	東豆川市	Gyeonggi	98,062	95.66	1025.1	1981-07-01
Donghae	동해시	東海市	Gangwon	93,289	180.17	517.8	1980-04-01
Gangneung	강릉시	江陵市	Gangwon	213,747	1040.07	205.5	1955-09-01
Geoje	거제시	巨濟市	South Gyeongsang	256,979	401.61	639.9	1989-01-01
Gimcheon	김천시	金泉市	North Gyeongsang	142,277	1009.50	140.9	1949-08-14
Gimhae	김해시	金海市	South Gyeongsang	529,577	463.28	1143.1	1981-07-01
Gimje	김제시	金堤市	North Jeolla	87,658	544.99	160.8	1989-01-01
Gimpo	김포시	金浦市	Gyeonggi	364,808	276.64	1318.7	1998-04-01
Gongju	공주시	公州市	South Chungcheong	109,750	940.36	116.7	1986-01-01
Goyang	고양시	高陽市	Gyeonggi	1,040,648	267.31	3893.0	1992-02-01
Gumi	구미시	龜尾市	North Gyeongsang	420,048	615.52	682.4	1978-02-15
Gunpo	군포시	軍浦市	Gyeonggi	284,735	36.36	7831.0	1989-01-01
Gunsan	군산시	群山市	North Jeolla	277,328	675.38	410.6	1949-08-15
Guri	구리시	九里市	Gyeonggi	194,298	33.30	5834.8	1986-01-01
Gwacheon	과천시	果川市	Gyeonggi	62,929	35.86	1754.9	1986-01-01
Gwangju	광주광역시	光州廣域市	City-cnone	1,469,583	501.26	2931.8	1986-11-01
Gwangju	광주시	廣州市	Gyeonggi	328,940	430.96	763.3	2001-03-21
Gwangmyeong	광명시	光明市	Gyeonggi	339,071	38.50	8807.0	1981-07-01
Gwangyang	광양시	光陽市	South Jeolla	154,164	453.84	339.7	1989-01-01
Gyeongju	경주시	慶州市	North Gyeongsang	259,228	1324.39	195.7	1955-09-01
Gyeongsan	경산시	慶山市	North Gyeongsang	257,902	411.70	626.4	1989-01-01
Gyeryong	계룡시	鷄龍市	South Chungcheong	42,737	60.74	703.6	2003-09-19
Hanam	하남시	河南市	Gyeonggi	213,028	93.07	2288.9	1989-01-01
Hwaseong	화성시	華城市	Gyeonggi	644,498	687.54	937.4	2001-03-21
Icheon	이천시	利川市	Gyeonggi	210,565	531.09	396.5	1996-03-01
Iksan	익산시	益山市	North Jeolla	301,061	506.70	594.2	1949-08-15
Incheon	인천광역시	仁川廣域市	City-cnone	2,944,009	1032.41	2851.6	1981-07-01
Jecheon	제천시	堤川市	North Chungcheong	136,389	883.09	154.4	1980-04-01
Jeongeup	정읍시	井邑市	North Jeolla	115,083	692.93	166.1	1981-07-01
Jeonju	전주시	全州市	North Jeolla	652,234	206.22	3162.8	1949-08-15
Jeju	제주시	濟州市	Jeju	470,957	977.80	481.6	1955-09-01
Jinju	진주시	晋州市	South Gyeongsang	347,056	712.62	487.0	1949-08-15
Naju	나주시	羅州市	South Jeolla	105,080	172.8	608.15	1981-07-01
Namyangju	남양주시	南楊州市	Gyeonggi	662,183	458.54	1444.1	1989-01-01
Namwon	남원시	南原市	North Jeolla	84,140	752.50	111.8	1981-07-01
Nonsan	논산시	論山市	South Chungcheong	123,094	554.85	221.9	1996-03-01
Miryang	밀양시	密陽市	South Gyeongsang	108,322	799.01	135.6	1989-01-01
Mokpo	목포시	木浦市	South Jeolla	237,464	50.08	4741.7	1949-08-15
Mungyeong	문경시	聞慶市	North Gyeongsang	74,555	911.17	81.8	1986-01-01
Osan	오산시	烏山市	Gyeonggi	208,873	42.76	4884.8	1989-01-01
Paju	파주시	坡州市	Gyeonggi	431,035	672.57	640.9	1996-03-01
Pocheon	포천시	抱川市	Gyeonggi	154,381	826.50	186.8	2003-10-19
Pohang	포항시	浦項市	North Gyeongsang	516,497	1128.76	457.6	1949-08-14
Pyeongtaek	평택시	平澤市	Gyeonggi	472,141	454.62	1038.5	1986-01-01
Sacheon	사천시	泗川市	South Gyeongsang	114,854	398.25	288.4	1956-07-08
Sangju	상주시	尙州市	North Gyeongsang	101,729	1254.83	81.1	1986-01-01
Samcheok	삼척시	三陟市	Gangwon	70,120	1185.86	59.1	1986-01-01
Sejong	세종특별자치시	世宗特別自治市	City-bnone	244,939	465.23	526.5	2012-07-01
Seogwipo	서귀포시	西歸浦市	Jeju	171,431	870.87	196.9	1981-07-01
Seongnam	성남시	城南市	Gyeonggi	974,755	141.82	6873.2	1973-07-01
Seosan	서산시	瑞山市	South Chungcheong	170,810	740.66	230.6	1989-01-01
Seoul	서울특별시	서울特別市	City-anone	9,930,478	605.27	16406.7	1946-08-16
Siheung	시흥시	始興市	Gyeonggi	403,398	135.02	2987.7	1989-01-01
Sokcho	속초시	束草市	Gangwon	81,797	105.00	779.0	1963-01-01
Suncheon	순천시	順天市	South Jeolla	279,540	907.41	308.1	1949-08-14
Suwon	수원시	水原市	Gyeonggi	1,194,276	121.09	9862.7	1949-08-14
Taebaek	태백시	太白市	Gangwon	46,892	303.57	154.5	1981-07-01
Tongyeong	통영시	統營市	South Gyeongsang	138,001	238.85	577.8	1955-09-01
Uijeongbu	의정부시	議政府市	Gyeonggi	438,753	81.59	5377.5	1963-01-01
Uiwang	의왕시	儀旺市	Gyeonggi	156,410	54.00	2896.5	1989-01-01
Ulsan	울산광역시	蔚山廣域市	City-cnone	1,117,656	1057.50	1056.9	1997-07-15
Wonju	원주시	原州市	Gangwon	338,374	872.56	387.8	1955-09-01
Yangju	양주시	楊州市	Gyeonggi	205,977	309.77	664.9	2003-10-19
Yangsan	양산시	梁山市	South Gyeongsang	318,836	485.18	657.1	1996-03-01
Yeoju	여주시	驪州市	Gyeonggi	111,558	608.64	183.3	2013-09-23
Yeongcheon	영천시	永川市	North Gyeongsang	100,384	920.29	109.1	1981-07-01
Yeongju	영주시	榮州市	North Gyeongsang	109,281	669.05	163.3	1980-04-01
Yeosu	여수시	麗水市	South Jeolla	288,818	501.27	576.2	1949-08-14
Yongin	용인시	龍仁市	Gyeonggi	991,622	591.36	1676.8	1996-03-01

Renamed cities[]

Before	Hangul	Hanja	After	Hangul	Hanja	Renamed date
Chungmu	충무시	忠武市	Tongyeong	통영시	統營市	1995-01-01
Daecheon	대천시	大川市	Boryeong	보령시	保寧市	1995-01-01
Donggwangyang	동광양시	東光陽市	Gwangyang	광양시	光陽市	1995-01-01
Geumseong	금성시	錦城市	Naju	나주시	羅州市	1986-01-01
Gyeongseong	경성부	京城府	Seoul	서울특별자유시	特別自由市	1946-08-16
Iri	이리시	裡里市	Iksan	익산시	益山市	1995-05-10
Jangseungpo	장승포시	長承浦市	Geoje	거제시	巨濟市	1995-01-01
Jeomchon	점촌시	店村市	Mungyeong	문경시	聞慶市	1995-01-01
Jeongju	정주시	井州市	Jeongeup	정읍시	井邑市	1995-01-01
Migeum	미금시	渼金市	Namyangju	남양주시	南楊州市	1995-01-01
Onyang	온양시	溫陽市	Asan	아산시	牙山市	1995-01-01
Samcheonpo	삼천포시	三千浦市	Sacheon	사천시	泗川市	1995-05-10

Dissolved cities[]

City	Hangul	Hanja	Founded	Dissolved	Merged division
Busan	부산부	釜山府	1914-03-01	1949-08-15	upgraded into a city (시; 市)
Busan	부산시	釜山市	1949-08-15	1963-01-01	upgraded into a Directly-administered city and changed into a Metropolitan city in 1995-01-01
Cheongju	청주부	淸州府	1946-06-01	1949-08-15	upgraded into a city (시; 市)
Chuncheon	춘천부	春川府	1946-06-01	1949-08-15	upgraded into a city (시; 市)
Daegu	대구부	大邱府	1914-03-01	1949-08-15	upgraded into a city (시; 市)
Daegu	대구시	大邱市	1949-08-15	1981-07-01	upgraded into a Directly-administered city and changed into a Metropolitan city in 1995-01-01
Daejeon	대전부	大田府	1935-10-01	1949-08-15	upgraded into a city (시; 市)
Daejeon	대전시	大田市	1949-08-15	1989-01-01	upgraded into a Directly-administered city and changed into a Metropolitan city in 1995-01-01
Gunsan	군산부	群山府	1914-03-01	1949-08-15	upgraded into a city (시; 市)
Gwangju	광주부	光州府	1935-10-01	1949-08-15	upgraded into a city (시; 市)
Gwangju	광주시	光州市	1949-08-15	1986-11-01	upgraded into a Directly-administered city and changed into a Metropolitan city in 1995-01-01
Gyeongseong	경성부	京城府	1914-03-01	1946-08-16	upgraded into a Special independent city and changed into a Special city in 1949-08-15
Incheon	인천부	仁川府	1914-03-01	1949-08-15	upgraded into a city (시; 市)
Incheon	인천시	仁川市	1949-08-15	1981-07-01	upgraded into a Directly-administered city and changed into a Metropolitan city in 1995-01-01
Iri	이리부	裡里府	1947-02-23	1949-08-15	upgraded into a city (시; 市)
Jeonju	전주부	全州府	1935-10-01	1949-08-15	upgraded into a city (시; 市)
Jinhae	진해시	鎭海市	1955-09-01	2010-07-01	merged into Changwon
Jinju	진주부	晋州府	1939-10-01	1949-08-15	upgraded into a city (시; 市)
Masan	마산부	馬山府	1914-03-01	1949-08-15	upgraded into a city (시; 市)
Masan	마산시	馬山市	1949-08-15	2010-07-01	merged into Changwon
Mokpo	목포부	木浦府	1914-03-01	1949-08-15	upgraded into a city (시; 市)
Songjeong	송정시	松汀市	1986-11-01	1988-01-01	merged into Gwangju
Songtan	송탄시	松炭市	1981-07-01	1995-05-10	merged into Pyeongtaek
Ulsan	울산시	蔚山市	1962-06-01	1997-07-15	upgraded into a Metropolitan city
Yeocheon	여천시	麗川市	1986-01-01	1998-04-01	merged into Yeosu

Claimed cities of the Committee for the Five Northern Korean Provinces[]

City	Hangul	Hanja	Province	Founded
Cheongjin	청진시	淸津市	North Hamgyeong	1949-05-23
Gaeseong	개성시	開城市	Gyeonggi*	1949-05-23
Haeju	해주시	海州市	Hwanghae	1949-05-23
Hamheung	함흥시	咸興市	South Hamgyeong	1949-05-23
Heungnam	흥남시	興南市	South Hamgyeong	1949-05-23
Jinnampo	진남포시	鎭南浦市	South Pyeongan	1949-05-23
Najin	나진시	羅津市	North Hamgyeong	1949-05-23
Pyeongyang	평양시	平壤市	South Pyeongan	1949-05-23
Sariwon	사리원시	沙里院市	Hwanghae	1949-05-23
Seongjin	성진시	城津市	North Hamgyeong	1949-05-23
Sinuiju	신의주시	新義州市	North Pyeongan	1949-05-23
Songnim	송림시	松林市	Hwanghae	1949-05-23
Wonsan	원산시	元山市	South Hamgyeong	1949-05-23

See also[]

• List of cities in South Korea by population

Sources[]

• The Principal Cities of South Korea
• Korea.net-Facts about Korea
• Korea.net-Facts about Korea

External links[]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Cities in South Korea.

• Largest cities in South Korea