List of cities in South Korea

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.

Main article: Administrative divisions of South Korea
  Special city
  Special autonomous city
  Metropolitan cities
  Specific cities
  Administrative cities
  Cities

City status

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

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. It can also be reclassified as a Metropolitan city if it has at least 1,000,000 inhabitants. Only Suwon and Changwon meet these requirements but neither city has been nominated.

Specific city

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 a suffix, the character gyeong (京) is used, which means "capital".
  • 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.
NameKoreanNo.
HangulHanja
   Special City특별시特別市1
   Special Autonomous City특별자치시特別自治市1
   Metropolitan City광역시廣域市6
   Specific City특정시特定市15
   Administrative City행정시行政市2
   City시市60
CityHangulHanjaProvincePopulation
(2017)		AreaDensityFounded
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
BeforeHangulHanjaAfterHangulHanjaRenamed date
Chungmu충무시忠武市Tongyeong통영시統營市1995-01-01
Daecheon대천시大川市Boryeong보령시保寧市1995-01-01
Donggwangyang동광양시東光陽市Gwangyang광양시光陽市1995-01-01
Geumseong금성시錦城市Naju나주시羅州市1986-01-01
Gyeongseong경성부京城府Seoul서울특별자유시特別自由市1946-08-16
Iri이리시裡里市Iksan익산시益山市1995-05-10
Jangseungpo장승포시長承浦市Geoje거제시巨濟市1995-01-01
Jeomchon점촌시店村市Mungyeong문경시聞慶市1995-01-01
Jeongju정주시井州市Jeongeup정읍시井邑市1995-01-01
Migeum미금시渼金市Namyangju남양주시南楊州市1995-01-01
Onyang온양시溫陽市Asan아산시牙山市1995-01-01
Samcheonpo삼천포시三千浦市Sacheon사천시泗川市1995-05-10

Dissolved cities
CityHangulHanjaFoundedDissolvedMerged division
Busan부산부釜山府1914-03-011949-08-15upgraded into a city (시; 市)
Busan부산시釜山市1949-08-151963-01-01upgraded into a Directly-administered city and changed into a Metropolitan city in 1995-01-01
Cheongju청주부淸州府1946-06-011949-08-15upgraded into a city (시; 市)
Chuncheon춘천부春川府1946-06-011949-08-15upgraded into a city (시; 市)
Daegu대구부大邱府1914-03-011949-08-15upgraded into a city (시; 市)
Daegu대구시大邱市1949-08-151981-07-01upgraded into a Directly-administered city and changed into a Metropolitan city in 1995-01-01
Daejeon대전부大田府1935-10-011949-08-15upgraded into a city (시; 市)
Daejeon대전시大田市1949-08-151989-01-01upgraded into a Directly-administered city and changed into a Metropolitan city in 1995-01-01
Gunsan군산부群山府1914-03-011949-08-15upgraded into a city (시; 市)
Gwangju광주부光州府1935-10-011949-08-15upgraded into a city (시; 市)
Gwangju광주시光州市1949-08-151986-11-01upgraded into a Directly-administered city and changed into a Metropolitan city in 1995-01-01
Gyeongseong경성부京城府1914-03-011946-08-16upgraded into a Special independent city and changed into a Special city in 1949-08-15
Incheon인천부仁川府1914-03-011949-08-15upgraded into a city (시; 市)
Incheon인천시仁川市1949-08-151981-07-01upgraded into a Directly-administered city and changed into a Metropolitan city in 1995-01-01
Iri이리부裡里府1947-02-231949-08-15upgraded into a city (시; 市)
Jeonju전주부全州府1935-10-011949-08-15upgraded into a city (시; 市)
Jinhae진해시鎭海市1955-09-012010-07-01merged into Changwon
Jinju진주부晋州府1939-10-011949-08-15upgraded into a city (시; 市)
Masan마산부馬山府1914-03-011949-08-15upgraded into a city (시; 市)
Masan마산시馬山市1949-08-152010-07-01merged into Changwon
Mokpo목포부木浦府1914-03-011949-08-15upgraded into a city (시; 市)
Songjeong송정시松汀市1986-11-011988-01-01merged into Gwangju
Songtan송탄시松炭市1981-07-011995-05-10merged into Pyeongtaek
Ulsan울산시蔚山市1962-06-011997-07-15upgraded into a Metropolitan city
Yeocheon여천시麗川市1986-01-011998-04-01merged into Yeosu

Claimed cities of the Committee for the Five Northern Korean Provinces
Main article: Committee for the Five Northern Korean Provinces
CityHangulHanjaProvinceFounded
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

Sources
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