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The term “도” (do) means “province” in Korean. The official names of all provinces include 도 (-do). South Korea is divided into nine provinces, namely 강원특별자치도 (Gangwon State), 경기도 (Gyeonggi-do), 충청북도 (Chungcheongbuk-do), 충청남도 (Chungcheongnam-do), 경상북도 (Gyeongsangbuk-do), 경상남도 (Gyeongsangnam-do), 전북특별자치도 (Jeonbuk State), 전라남도 (Jeollanam-do), and 제주특별자치도 (Jeju Special Self-Governing Province).
| Province | Official English Name | Hangeul | Abbreviation | Capital | Historical Province | Region |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gangwon | Gangwon State | 강원특별자치도 | 강원 (Gangwon) | 춘천시 (Chuncheon-si) | 강원 (Gangwon) | 관동 (Gwandong) |
| Gyeonggi | Gyeonggi-do | 경기도 | 경기 (Gyeonggi) | 수원시 (Suwon-si) | 경기 (Gyeonggi) | 수도권 (Sudogwon) |
| North Chungcheong | Chungcheongbuk-do | 충청북도 | 충북 (Chungbuk) | 청주시 (Cheonju-si) | 충청 (Chungcheong) | 호서 (Hoseo) |
| South Chungcheong | Chungcheongnam-do | 충청남도 | 충남 (Chungnam) | 홍성군 (Hongseong-gun) | 충청 (Chungcheong) | 호서 (Hoseo) |
| North Gyeongsang | Gyeongsangbuk-do | 경상북도 | 경북 (Gyeongbuk) | 안동시 (Andong-si) | 경상 (Gyeongsang) | 영남 (Yeongnam) |
| South Gyeongsang | Gyeongsangnam-do | 경상남도 | 경남 (Gyeongnam) | 창원시 (Changwon-si) | 경상 (Gyeongsang) | 영남 (Yeongnam) |
| North Jeolla | Jeonbuk State | 전북특별자치도 | 전북 (Jeonbuk) | 전주시 (Jeonju-si) | 전라 (Jeolla) | 호남 (Honam) |
| South Jeolla | Jeollanam-do | 전라남도 | 전남 (Jeonnam) | 무안군 (Muan-gun) | 전라 (Jeolla) | 호남 (Honam) |
| Jeju | Jeju Special Self-Governing Province | 제주특별자치도 | 제주 (Jeju) | 제주시 (Jeju-si) | 전라 (Jeolla) | 제주 (Jeju) |
Historical Provinces of South Korea
Originally, South Korea had five main provinces:
- 강원 (Gangwon)
- 경기 (Gyeonggi)
- 충청 (Chungcheong)
- 경상 (Gyeongsang)
- 전라 (Jeolla)
Modern Division
In contemporary South Korea, the historical provinces have been subdivided to better manage the growing population and regional needs. Today, the nation is organized into eight provinces, each with its unique administrative identity.
- Chungcheong split into North Chungcheong (Chungcheongbuk-do) and South Chungcheong (Chungcheongnam-do).
- Gyeongsang split into North Gyeongsang (Gyeongsangbuk-do) and South Gyeongsang (Gyeongsangnam-do).
- Jeolla split into North Jeolla (Jeollabuk-do, officially Jeonbuk State) and South Jeolla (Jeollanam-do).
- Jeju became a distinct province, officially Jeju Special Self-Governing Province (Jeju-do).
특별자치도 (Special Self-Governing Province)
- 특별 (teukbyeol) translates to Special.
- 자치 (jachi) translates to self-government, self-governance, or self-rule.
- 도 (do) translates to province.
Combining these terms, “특별자치도” (teukbyeol-jachi-do) translates to “Special Self-Governing Province.”
Gangwon (강원특별자치도), Jeonbuk (전북특별자치도), and Jeju (제주특별자치도) are the only provinces in South Korea designated as a Special Self-Governing Province. Jeju uses “Special Self-Governing Province” in its official English name, while Gangwon and Jeonbuk use “State” in their official English names.
South Korea Provinces Vocabulary Recap
The following is a recap of the official english names of South Korea’s nine provinces in Hangeul (Korean).
