Provinces of South Korea

Provinces are the first-level division within South Korea. Governors for these provinces are elected every four years.

Types

A province (Hangul: 도; Hanja: 道) is the highest-ranked administrative divisions in South Korea. Provinces have equal status to the Korean special cities.

A special autonomous province (Hangul: 특별자치도; Hanja: 特別自治道) is a province with more autonomy over its economy and more powers are given to the provincial government. Jeju is the only special autonomous province.

List of provinces

Name	Hangul	Hanja	ISO	Population (2011 est.)	Area (km²)	Density (/km²)	Capital	Region	Abbreviation
North Chungcheong	충청북도	[忠清北道] Error: {{Lang}}: script: kore not supported for code: ko (help)	KR-43	1,588,633	7,433	213	Cheongju	Hoseo	Chungbuk	충북	[忠北] Error: {{Lang}}: script: kore not supported for code: ko (help)
South Chungcheong	충청남도	[忠清南道] Error: {{Lang}}: script: kore not supported for code: ko (help)	KR-44	2,064,665	8,204	251	Hongseong	Hoseo	Chungnam	충남	[忠南] Error: {{Lang}}: script: kore not supported for code: ko (help)
Gangwon	강원도	[江原道] Error: {{Lang}}: script: kore not supported for code: ko (help)	KR-42	1,549,780	20,569	75	Chuncheon	Gwandong	Gangwon	강원	[江原] Error: {{Lang}}: script: kore not supported for code: ko (help)
Gyeonggi	경기도	[京畿道] Error: {{Lang}}: script: kore not supported for code: ko (help)	KR-41	12,239,862	10,171	1,203	Suwon	Sudogwon	Gyeonggi	경기	[京畿] Error: {{Lang}}: script: kore not supported for code: ko (help)
North Gyeongsang*	경상북도	[慶尙北道] Error: {{Lang}}: script: kore not supported for code: ko (help)	KR-47	2,739,179	19,030	144	Daegu	Yeongnam	Gyeongbuk	경북	慶北
South Gyeongsang	경상남도	慶尙南道	KR-48	3,374,725	10,532	320	Changwon	Yeongnam	Gyeongnam	경남	[慶南] Error: {{Lang}}: script: kore not supported for code: ko (help)
Jeju	제주도	[濟州道] Error: {{Lang}}: script: kore not supported for code: ko (help)	KR-49	583,284	1,849	315	Jeju	Jeju	Jeju	제주	[濟州] Error: {{Lang}}: script: kore not supported for code: ko (help)
North Jeolla	전라북도	[全羅北道] Error: {{Lang}}: script: kore not supported for code: ko (help)	KR-45	1,895,882	8,043	236	Jeonju	Honam	Jeonbuk	전북	[全北] Error: {{Lang}}: script: kore not supported for code: ko (help)
South Jeolla	전라남도	[全羅南道] Error: {{Lang}}: script: kore not supported for code: ko (help)	KR-46	1,938,136	12257	163	Muan	Honam	Jeonnam	전남	[全南] Error: {{Lang}}: script: kore not supported for code: ko (help)

Note: Daegu is excluded because it is the capital but is not legally part of the province.