Regions of Korea

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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.

Contents

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

List of eight regions

Name RR MC Hangul Hanja Cities and provinces Divisions today
Haeso HaeseoHaesŏ해서海西 N. Hwanghae and S. Hwanghae North
Kwanso GwanseoKwansŏ관서關西 Pyongyang, Nampo, N. Pyongan, S. Pyongan, and Chagang North
Kwanbuk GwanbukKwanbuk관북關北 Rason, N. Hamgyong, S. Hamgyong, and Ryanggang North
Gwandong GwandongKwandong관동關東 Gangwon (South), and Kangwon (North) Both
Gyeonggi GyeonggiKyŏnggi경기京畿 Seoul, Incheon, Gyeonggi, and Kaesong Both
Hoseo HoseoHosŏ호서湖西 Daejeon, Sejong, N. Chungcheong, and S. Chungcheong South
Honam HonamHonam호남湖南 Gwangju, N. Jeolla, S. Jeolla, and Jeju South
Yeongnam YeongnamRyŏngnam영남(령남)嶺南 Busan, Daegu, Ulsan, N. Gyeongsang, and S. Gyeongsang South

Extra regions

Name RR MC Hangul Hanja Description
Kwannam GwannamKwannam관남關南Southern part of Kwanbuk
Kwanbuk GwanbukKwanbuk관북關北Northern part of Kwanbuk
Yeongseo YeongseoRyŏngsŏ영서(령서)嶺西Western part of Gwandong
Yeongdong YeongdongRyŏngdong영동(령동)嶺東Eastern part of Gwandong
Giho GihoKiho기호畿湖 Gyeonggi and Hoseo
Jeju JejuCheju제주濟州 Jeju Island (part of Honam)

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References

  1. "지역 구분". The National Atlas of Korea: Comprehensive Edition (in Korean). National Geographic Information Institute. March 2023.

See also