List of cities in South Korea

This article is about cities in the country generally. For places that are administratively designated specifically as "city", see List of cities of South Korea.

  Special city

  Metropolitan autonomous city

  Metropolitan cities

  Specific cities

  Administrative cities

  Cities

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 6 largest cities (see the list below) are classified as gwangyeoksi (Metropolitan Cities; see Special cities of South Korea). Smaller cities are classified as si ("cities") and are under provincial jurisdiction, at the same level as counties (see Administrative divisions of South Korea).

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] Error: {{Lang}}: script: kore not supported for code: ko (help)) is used, which means "capital".
• Seoul was designated a "Special Independent City" (Teukbyeol-jayusi; 특별자유시; [特別自由市] Error: {{Lang}}: script: kore not supported for code: ko (help)) 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
	metropolitan 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 (2012)	Area	Founded
Andong	안동시	安東市	North Gyeongsang	168,009	1521.26	1963-01-01
Ansan	안산시	安山市	Gyeonggi	715,313	149.06	1986-01-01
Anseong	안성시	安城市	Gyeonggi	180,900	553.47	1998-04-01
Anyang	안양시	安養市	Gyeonggi	614,170	58.46	1973-07-01
Asan	아산시	牙山市	South Chungcheong	275,350	542.15	1986-01-01
Boryeong	보령시	保寧市	South Chungcheong	106,106	569.01	1986-01-01
Bucheon	부천시	富川市	Gyeonggi	872,662	53.40	1973-07-01
Busan	부산광역시	釜山廣域市	City-cnone	3,548,640	765.94	1963-01-01
Changwon	창원시	昌原市	South Gyeongsang	1,091,733	736.34	1980-04-01
Cheonan	천안시	天安市	South Chungcheong	574,148	636.22	1963-01-01
Cheongju	청주시	淸州市	North Chungcheong	662,852	153.45	1949-08-15
Chuncheon	춘천시	春川市	Gangwon	273,130	1116.35	1949-08-15
Chungju	충주시	忠州市	North Chungcheong	208,266	983.70	1956-07-08
Daegu	대구광역시	大邱廣域市	City-cnone	2,508,563	885.60	1981-07-01
Daejeon	대전광역시	大田廣域市	City-cnone	1,518,651	539.86	1989-01-01
Dangjin	당진시	唐津市	South Chungcheong	151,013	694.08	2012-01-01
Dongducheon	동두천시	東豆川市	Gyeonggi	96,215	95.66	1981-07-01
Donghae	동해시	東海市	Gangwon	94,617	180.17	1980-04-01
Gangneung	강릉시	江陵市	Gangwon	217,494	1040.07	1955-09-01
Geoje	거제시	巨濟市	South Gyeongsang	232,891	401.61	1989-01-01
Gimcheon	김천시	金泉市	North Gyeongsang	135,421	1009.50	1949-08-14
Gimhae	김해시	金海市	South Gyeongsang	507,726	463.28	1981-07-01
Gimje	김제시	金堤市	North Jeolla	92,911	544.99	1989-01-01
Gimpo	김포시	金浦市	Gyeonggi	260,997	276.64	1998-04-01
Gongju	공주시	公州市	South Chungcheong	124,359	940.36	1986-01-01
Goyang	고양시	高陽市	Gyeonggi	961,451	267.31	1992-02-01
Gumi	구미시	龜尾市	North Gyeongsang	413,893	615.52	1978-02-15
Gunpo	군포시	軍浦市	Gyeonggi	287,311	36.36	1989-01-01
Gunsan	군산시	群山市	North Jeolla	276,538	675.38	1949-08-15
Guri	구리시	九里市	Gyeonggi	194,537	33.30	1986-01-01
Gwacheon	과천시	果川市	Gyeonggi	71,799	35.86	1986-01-01
Gwangju	광주광역시	光州廣域市	City-cnone	1,466,516	501.26	1986-11-01
Gwangju	광주시	廣州市	Gyeonggi	266,444	430.96	2001-03-21
Gwangmyeong	광명시	光明市	Gyeonggi	355,618	38.50	1981-07-01
Gwangyang	광양시	光陽市	South Jeolla	150,565	453.84	1989-01-01
Gyeongju	경주시	慶州市	North Gyeongsang	265,028	1324.39	1955-09-01
Gyeongsan	경산시	慶山市	North Gyeongsang	243,746	411.70	1989-01-01
Gyeryong	계룡시	鷄龍市	South Chungcheong	42,427	60.74	2003-09-19
Hanam	하남시	河南市	Gyeonggi	148,122	93.07	1989-01-01
Hwaseong	화성시	華城市	Gyeonggi	517,505	687.54	2001-03-21
Icheon	이천시	利川市	Gyeonggi	204,331	531.09	1996-03-01
Iksan	익산시	益山市	North Jeolla	308,458	506.70	1949-08-15
Incheon	인천광역시	仁川廣域市	City-cnone	2,808,286	1032.41	1981-07-01
Jecheon	제천시	堤川市	North Chungcheong	137,317	883.09	1980-04-01
Jeongeup	정읍시	井邑市	North Jeolla	120,114	692.93	1981-07-01
Jeonju	전주시	全州市	North Jeolla	647,504	206.22	1949-08-15
Jeju	제주시	濟州市	Jeju	423,853	977.80	1955-09-01
Jinju	진주시	晋州市	South Gyeongsang	336,310	712.62	1949-08-15
Naju	나주시	羅州市	South Jeolla	88,094	608.15	1981-07-01
Namyangju	남양주시	南楊州市	Gyeonggi	580,151	458.54	1989-01-01
Namwon	남원시	南原市	North Jeolla	87,367	752.50	1981-07-01
Nonsan	논산시	論山市	South Chungcheong	127,056	554.85	1996-03-01
Miryang	밀양시	密陽市	South Gyeongsang	109,087	799.01	1989-01-01
Mokpo	목포시	木浦市	South Jeolla	244,256	50.08	1949-08-15
Mungyeong	문경시	聞慶市	North Gyeongsang	76,045	911.17	1986-01-01
Osan	오산시	烏山市	Gyeonggi	194,775	42.76	1989-01-01
Paju	파주시	坡州市	Gyeonggi	382,816	672.57	1996-03-01
Pocheon	포천시	抱川市	Gyeonggi	157,684	826.50	2003-10-19
Pohang	포항시	浦項市	North Gyeongsang	517,322	1128.76	1949-08-14
Pyeongtaek	평택시	平澤市	Gyeonggi	428,075	454.62	1986-01-01
Sacheon	사천시	泗川市	South Gyeongsang	114,654	398.25	1956-07-08
Sangju	상주시	尙州市	North Gyeongsang	104,652	1254.83	1986-01-01
Samcheok	삼척시	三陟市	Gangwon	71,825	1185.86	1986-01-01
Sejong	세종특별자치시	世宗特別自治市	City-bnone	122,263	465.23	2012-07-01
Seogwipo	서귀포시	西歸浦市	Jeju	153,241	870.87	1981-07-01
Seongnam	성남시	城南市	Gyeonggi	979,412	141.82	1973-07-01
Seosan	서산시	瑞山市	South Chungcheong	161,610	740.66	1989-01-01
Seoul	서울특별시	[特別市] Error: {{Lang}}: script: kore not supported for code: ko (help)	City-anone	10,251,297	605.27	1946-08-16
Siheung	시흥시	始興市	Gyeonggi	400,891	135.02	1989-01-01
Sokcho	속초시	束草市	Gangwon	88,723	105.00	1963-01-01
Suncheon	순천시	順天市	South Jeolla	272,274	907.41	1949-08-14
Suwon	수원시	水原市	Gyeonggi	1,098,010	121.09	1949-08-14
Taebaek	태백시	太白市	Gangwon	49,837	303.57	1981-07-01
Tongyeong	통영시	統營市	South Gyeongsang	140,140	238.85	1955-09-01
Uijeongbu	의정부시	議政府市	Gyeonggi	430,198	81.59	1963-01-01
Uiwang	의왕시	儀旺市	Gyeonggi	150,379	54.00	1989-01-01
Ulsan	울산광역시	蔚山廣域市	City-cnone	1,136,948	1057.50	1997-07-15
Wonju	원주시	原州市	Gangwon	321,146	872.56	1955-09-01
Yangju	양주시	楊州市	Gyeonggi	199,956	309.77	2003-10-19
Yangsan	양산시	梁山市	South Gyeongsang	267,108	485.18	1996-03-01
Yeoju	여주시	驪州市	Gyeonggi	109,265	608.64	2013-09-23
Yeongcheon	영천시	永川市	North Gyeongsang	103,174	920.29	1981-07-01
Yeongju	영주시	榮州市	North Gyeongsang	114,446	669.05	1980-04-01
Yeosu	여수시	麗水市	South Jeolla	292,627	501.27	1949-08-14
Yongin	용인시	龍仁市	Gyeonggi	898,530	591.36	1996-03-01

Renamed cities

Before	Hangul	Hanja	After	Hangul	Hanja	Renamed date
Chungmu	충무시	[忠武市] Error: {{Lang}}: script: kore not supported for code: ko (help)	Tongyeong	통영시	[統營市] Error: {{Lang}}: script: kore not supported for code: ko (help)	1995-01-01
Daecheon	대천시	[大川市] Error: {{Lang}}: script: kore not supported for code: ko (help)	Boryeong	보령시	[保寧市] Error: {{Lang}}: script: kore not supported for code: ko (help)	1995-01-01
Donggwangyang	동광양시	[東光陽市] Error: {{Lang}}: script: kore not supported for code: ko (help)	Gwangyang	광양시	[光陽市] Error: {{Lang}}: script: kore not supported for code: ko (help)	1995-01-01
Geumseong	금성시	[錦城市] Error: {{Lang}}: script: kore not supported for code: ko (help)	Naju	나주시	[羅州市] Error: {{Lang}}: script: kore not supported for code: ko (help)	1986-01-01
Gyeongseong	경성부	[京城府] Error: {{Lang}}: script: kore not supported for code: ko (help)	Seoul	서울특별자유시	[特別自由市] Error: {{Lang}}: script: kore not supported for code: ko (help)	1946-08-16
Iri	이리시	[裡里市] Error: {{Lang}}: script: kore not supported for code: ko (help)	Iksan	익산시	[益山市] Error: {{Lang}}: script: kore not supported for code: ko (help)	1995-05-10
Jangseungpo	장승포시	[長承浦市] Error: {{Lang}}: script: kore not supported for code: ko (help)	Geoje	거제시	[巨濟市] Error: {{Lang}}: script: kore not supported for code: ko (help)	1995-01-01
Jeomchon	점촌시	[店村市] Error: {{Lang}}: script: kore not supported for code: ko (help)	Mungyeong	문경시	[聞慶市] Error: {{Lang}}: script: kore not supported for code: ko (help)	1995-01-01
Jeongju	정주시	[井州市] Error: {{Lang}}: script: kore not supported for code: ko (help)	Jeongeup	정읍시	[井邑市] Error: {{Lang}}: script: kore not supported for code: ko (help)	1995-01-01
Migeum	미금시	[渼金市] Error: {{Lang}}: script: kore not supported for code: ko (help)	Namyangju	남양주시	[南楊州市] Error: {{Lang}}: script: kore not supported for code: ko (help)	1995-01-01
Onyang	온양시	[溫陽市] Error: {{Lang}}: script: kore not supported for code: ko (help)	Asan	아산시	[牙山市] Error: {{Lang}}: script: kore not supported for code: ko (help)	1995-01-01
Samcheonpo	삼천포시	[三千浦市] Error: {{Lang}}: script: kore not supported for code: ko (help)	Sacheon	사천시	[泗川市] Error: {{Lang}}: script: kore not supported for code: ko (help)	1995-05-10

Dissolved cities

City	Hangul	Hanja	Founded	Dissolved	Merged division
Busan	부산부	[釜山府] Error: {{Lang}}: script: kore not supported for code: ko (help)	1914-03-01	1949-08-15	upgraded into a city (시; 市)
Busan	부산시	[釜山市] Error: {{Lang}}: script: kore not supported for code: ko (help)	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] Error: {{Lang}}: script: kore not supported for code: ko (help)	1946-06-01	1949-08-15	upgraded into a city (시; 市)
Chuncheon	춘천부	[春川府] Error: {{Lang}}: script: kore not supported for code: ko (help)	1946-06-01	1949-08-15	upgraded into a city (시; 市)
Daegu	대구부	[大邱府] Error: {{Lang}}: script: kore not supported for code: ko (help)	1914-03-01	1949-08-15	upgraded into a city (시; 市)
Daegu	대구시	[大邱市] Error: {{Lang}}: script: kore not supported for code: ko (help)	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] Error: {{Lang}}: script: kore not supported for code: ko (help)	1935-10-01	1949-08-15	upgraded into a city (시; 市)
Daejeon	대전시	[大田市] Error: {{Lang}}: script: kore not supported for code: ko (help)	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] Error: {{Lang}}: script: kore not supported for code: ko (help)	1914-03-01	1949-08-15	upgraded into a city (시; 市)
Gwangju	광주부	[光州府] Error: {{Lang}}: script: kore not supported for code: ko (help)	1935-10-01	1949-08-15	upgraded into a city (시; 市)
Gwangju	광주시	[光州市] Error: {{Lang}}: script: kore not supported for code: ko (help)	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] Error: {{Lang}}: script: kore not supported for code: ko (help)	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] Error: {{Lang}}: script: kore not supported for code: ko (help)	1914-03-01	1949-08-15	upgraded into a city (시; 市)
Incheon	인천시	[仁川市] Error: {{Lang}}: script: kore not supported for code: ko (help)	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] Error: {{Lang}}: script: kore not supported for code: ko (help)	1947-02-23	1949-08-15	upgraded into a city (시; 市)
Jeonju	전주부	[全州府] Error: {{Lang}}: script: kore not supported for code: ko (help)	1935-10-01	1949-08-15	upgraded into a city (시; 市)
Jinhae	진해시	[鎭海市] Error: {{Lang}}: script: kore not supported for code: ko (help)	1955-09-01	2010-07-01	merged into Changwon
Jinju	진주부	[晋州府] Error: {{Lang}}: script: kore not supported for code: ko (help)	1939-10-01	1949-08-15	upgraded into a city (시; 市)
Masan	마산부	[馬山府] Error: {{Lang}}: script: kore not supported for code: ko (help)	1914-03-01	1949-08-15	upgraded into a city (시; 市)
Masan	마산시	[馬山市] Error: {{Lang}}: script: kore not supported for code: ko (help)	1949-08-15	2010-07-01	merged into Changwon
Mokpo	목포부	[木浦府] Error: {{Lang}}: script: kore not supported for code: ko (help)	1914-03-01	1949-08-15	upgraded into a city (시; 市)
Songjeong	송정시	[松汀市] Error: {{Lang}}: script: kore not supported for code: ko (help)	1986-11-01	1988-01-01	merged into Gwangju
Songtan	송탄시	[松炭市] Error: {{Lang}}: script: kore not supported for code: ko (help)	1981-07-01	1995-05-10	merged into Pyeongtaek
Ulsan	울산시	[蔚山市] Error: {{Lang}}: script: kore not supported for code: ko (help)	1962-06-01	1997-07-15	upgraded into a Metropolitan city
Yeocheon	여천시	[麗川市] Error: {{Lang}}: script: kore not supported for code: ko (help)	1986-01-01	1998-04-01	merged into Yeosu

Claimed cities of the Committee for the Five Northern Korean Provinces

Main article: Committee for the Five Northern Korean Provinces

City	Hangul	Hanja	Province	Founded
Cheongjin	청진시	[淸津市] Error: {{Lang}}: script: kore not supported for code: ko (help)	North Hamgyeong	1949-05-23
Gaeseong	개성시	[開城市] Error: {{Lang}}: script: kore not supported for code: ko (help)	Gyeonggi*	1949-05-23
Haeju	해주시	[海州市] Error: {{Lang}}: script: kore not supported for code: ko (help)	Hwanghae	1949-05-23
Hamheung	함흥시	[咸興市] Error: {{Lang}}: script: kore not supported for code: ko (help)	South Hamgyeong	1949-05-23
Heungnam	흥남시	[興南市] Error: {{Lang}}: script: kore not supported for code: ko (help)	South Hamgyeong	1949-05-23
Jinnampo	진남포시	[鎭南浦市] Error: {{Lang}}: script: kore not supported for code: ko (help)	South Pyeongan	1949-05-23
Najin	나진시	[羅津市] Error: {{Lang}}: script: kore not supported for code: ko (help)	North Hamgyeong	1949-05-23
Pyeongyang	평양시	[平壤市] Error: {{Lang}}: script: kore not supported for code: ko (help)	South Pyeongan	1949-05-23
Sariwon	사리원시	[沙里院市] Error: {{Lang}}: script: kore not supported for code: ko (help)	Hwanghae	1949-05-23
Seongjin	성진시	[城津市] Error: {{Lang}}: script: kore not supported for code: ko (help)	North Hamgyeong	1949-05-23
Sineuiju	신의주시	[新義州市] Error: {{Lang}}: script: kore not supported for code: ko (help)	North Pyeongan	1949-05-23
Songnim	송림시	[松林市] Error: {{Lang}}: script: kore not supported for code: ko (help)	Hwanghae	1949-05-23
Wonsan	원산시	[元山市] Error: {{Lang}}: script: kore not supported for code: ko (help)	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

• Largest cities in South Korea