How is South Korea Divided: A Comprehensive Guide

If you’ve ever wondered how South Korea is structured, from its top-level regions right down to its neighborhoods, you’re in the right place! It might seem a little complex at first glance, but once you break it down, it’s actually quite logical. We’ll explore not just the modern administrative map but also the historical division of the Korean Peninsula that still shapes things today. Think of it as peeling back the layers of an onion, each revealing a new aspect of this fascinating country.

At its core, South Korea’s administrative setup is designed to manage its over 51 million people efficiently, with about half of them living in the bustling Seoul Metropolitan Area alone. This country is a highly developed nation with a dynamic economy, ranking among the world’s largest. So, let’s jump right in and break down how this vibrant nation is divided!

South Korea’s Administrative Layout: A Closer Look

South Korea’s administrative divisions are a bit like a tiered system, with various types of “first-tier” units that have provincial-level autonomy. As of late 2023, the country is organized into 17 first-tier administrative divisions. These aren’t all uniform. they come in a few different flavors, reflecting their unique roles and histories.

Here’s the breakdown of these top-level administrative units:

Special City Teukbyeolsi

There’s just one of these, and it’s probably the most famous: Seoul. As the capital and by far the largest city, with a population over 9.5 million, Seoul operates with a special status that gives it significant autonomy. It’s essentially a province unto itself.

Special Self-Governing City Teukbyeol-jachisi

This is a newer type of administrative division, and currently, there’s only one: Sejong City. Established in 2007, Sejong was specifically planned and developed to house many of the country’s government ministries and agencies, aiming to decentralize power and ease congestion in Seoul. It officially became a Special Self-Governing City in 2012, taking over some national administrative functions and offering a new model of decentralization.

Metropolitan Cities Gwangyeoksi

These are large, major cities that have their own administrative autonomy, equivalent to that of a province. South Korea has 6 Metropolitan Cities: Does Alt Tag Help SEO? Absolutely, Here’s Why You Can’t Ignore It

• Busan: The second-largest city and a major port.
• Daegu: A large inland city.
• Incheon: A major port city located near Seoul, home to the country’s main international airport.
• Gwangju: A significant city in the southwest.
• Daejeon: Known for its science and technology institutions.
• Ulsan: A major industrial hub, particularly for shipbuilding and automotive industries.

Provinces Do and Special Self-Governing Provinces Teukbyeol-jachi-do

South Korea is broadly divided into 9 provinces. Within these, there are three that hold a “Special Self-Governing” status, giving them extra autonomy over their economy and more powers for their provincial governments.

The 9 provinces are:

• Gyeonggi-do: This province completely surrounds Seoul and Incheon and is often considered part of the larger capital metropolitan area. It’s the most populous province.
• Gangwon State Gangwon-do: Located in the northeastern part of the country, it was recently redesignated as a Special Self-Governing Province in June 2023, giving it more regional power.
• Chungcheongbuk-do North Chungcheong Province: An inland province in the central region.
• Chungcheongnam-do South Chungcheong Province: Located in the central-west, bordering the Yellow Sea.
• Jeonbuk State Jeollabuk-do, formerly North Jeolla Province: Located in the southwest, it also became a Special Self-Governing Province in January 2024.
• Jeollanam-do South Jeolla Province: Situated in the far southwest, known for its agricultural land and numerous islands.
• Gyeongsangbuk-do North Gyeongsang Province: In the southeast, it’s rich in history and culture.
• Gyeongsangnam-do South Gyeongsang Province: Also in the southeast, featuring a long coastline and vibrant industrial cities like Changwon.
• Jeju Special Self-Governing Province Jeju-do: This beautiful island province off the southern coast was the first to gain special self-governing status in 2006, granting it significant self-legislative power and administrative autonomy due to its unique geography and tourism importance.

Lower-Level Divisions

Beneath these first-tier divisions, South Korea is further broken down into various smaller entities:

• Cities Si: These are urban areas, distinct from the metropolitan cities, usually found within provinces. Some larger si are further divided into districts gu.
• Counties Gun: Generally less densely populated and more rural than cities. They are divisions of provinces or metropolitan cities.
• Districts Gu: These are subdivisions of larger cities both Special, Metropolitan, and some si. Think of them as boroughs or urban subdivisions.
• Towns Eup: Subdivisions of counties or smaller cities, often central settlements.
• Townships Myeon: More rural subdivisions of counties or smaller cities.
• Neighborhoods Dong: The smallest administrative units in urban areas, serving as primary divisions of districts or cities not divided into districts.
• Villages Ri: The smallest administrative units in rural areas, subdivisions of towns eup and townships myeon.

This intricate system allows for both centralized governance and local self-administration, catering to the diverse needs of its regions.

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How South Korea is Divided Geographically

Beyond administrative lines, South Korea also has clear geographical divisions that shape its and regional characteristics. The country is mostly mountainous, especially in the eastern part, with fewer arable lands.

• Mountains: The Taebaek Mountains run along the eastern coast, forming the country’s “spine.” The Sobaek Mountains branch off and run southwest. These mountain ranges have historically created natural barriers, influencing regional cultures and dialects.
• Rivers and Plains: Between the mountains, you’ll find fertile river valleys and wide coastal plains, particularly in the west and southeast, which are crucial for agriculture and population centers. Major rivers like the Han River, Geum River, and Nakdong River are vital for the country’s water supply and economy.
• Islands: South Korea boasts thousands of small islands, mostly along its southwest coast. The largest and most famous is Jeju Island, a volcanic island known for its unique natural beauty and as the location of Mount Hallasan, the highest peak in South Korea at 1,947 meters 6,388 ft.

Historically, Korea was divided into northern, central, and southern regions based on these natural features like mountain ranges and rivers. While modern transportation has narrowed regional differences, these geographical divisions still play a role in cultural identity, local dialects, and even economic activities.

The Historical Division of Korea: North and South

Now, let’s talk about the big division, the one that everyone usually thinks of when they hear “How is Korea divided?” —the split between North and South Korea. This isn’t an administrative division within a single country. it’s a profound political separation that emerged after World War II.

Post-World War II: The 38th Parallel

After Japan’s surrender in August 1945, which ended its 35-year colonial rule over Korea, the peninsula became an unexpected casualty of the burgeoning Cold War. The United States and the Soviet Union, wartime allies, agreed to temporarily divide Korea into two occupation zones to facilitate the disarming of Japanese forces. How to Really Boost Your SEO: Your Ultimate Guide to Standing Out Online

• The 38th parallel north latitude became the dividing line.
• The Soviet Union occupied the area north of this line, establishing a communist regime led by Kim Il Sung.
• The United States occupied the area south of the line, supporting a government led by Syngman Rhee.

This division was initially meant to be temporary, a short-term arrangement until Korea could establish its own independent, unified government. However, as the Cold War intensified, political disagreements between the two superpowers, coupled with internal Korean opposition to a trusteeship, prevented reunification. By 1948, two separate governments were formed, each claiming to be the legitimate government of the entire peninsula: the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea North Korea in the north and the Republic of Korea South Korea in the south.

The Korean War and the DMZ

The division solidified into open conflict on June 25, 1950, when North Korea invaded South Korea in an attempt to reunify the peninsula under communist rule. This ignited the Korean War, a brutal three-year conflict that drew in international powers, with the United Nations led by the United States supporting South Korea and China and the Soviet Union backing North Korea.

The war ended in a stalemate with the signing of the Korean Armistice Agreement on July 27, 1953. This agreement didn’t establish a peace treaty, meaning the two Koreas are still technically at war. Instead, it created a buffer zone: the Demilitarized Zone DMZ.

• The DMZ is a 4-kilometer-wide 2.5-mile strip of land that runs for about 250 kilometers 150 miles across the peninsula.
• It roughly follows the battle lines as they existed at the end of the war, cutting diagonally across the 38th parallel in many places.
• Both sides pulled back their troops 2 kilometers 1.2 miles from the Military Demarcation Line MDL, the official border within the DMZ, to create this buffer.
• The DMZ is one of the most heavily militarized borders in the world, marked by barbed-wire fences, landmines, and heavily armed troops from both sides, even though military activities are technically prohibited within the zone itself.
• Within the DMZ lies the “truce village” of Panmunjom, where negotiations between the two Koreas sometimes take place.

Since 1953, the division has remained, with extremely limited movement or communication across the DMZ. Both North and South Korea continue to claim sovereignty over the entire Korean Peninsula. While there have been sporadic efforts and declarations for peace and reunification, like the Panmunjom Declaration in 2018, lasting progress toward a unified Korea remains elusive.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main types of administrative divisions in South Korea?

South Korea has several types of first-tier administrative divisions: one Special City Seoul, one Special Self-Governing City Sejong, six Metropolitan Cities Busan, Daegu, Incheon, Gwangju, Daejeon, Ulsan, and nine Provinces including three Special Self-Governing Provinces like Jeju, Gangwon, and Jeonbuk.

How many provinces are there in South Korea?

There are 9 provinces in South Korea: Gyeonggi-do, Gangwon State, Chungcheongbuk-do, Chungcheongnam-do, Jeonbuk State, Jeollanam-do, Gyeongsangbuk-do, Gyeongsangnam-do, and Jeju Special Self-Governing Province. Three of these Jeju, Gangwon, and Jeonbuk have a special self-governing status, granting them more autonomy.

Is Seoul a province or a city?

Seoul is officially a Special City Teukbyeolsi, which means it has administrative autonomy equivalent to a province. It’s the capital and largest city in South Korea, and it functions as a first-tier administrative division on its own, not part of any province.

What is the difference between a “province” and a “special self-governing province”?

A “special self-governing province” Teukbyeol-jachi-do like Jeju, Gangwon, or Jeonbuk has been granted a higher degree of autonomy over its economy and more powers for its provincial government compared to regular provinces. This allows them to make more independent policy decisions tailored to their unique regional conditions.

How was Korea originally divided into North and South?

Korea was divided after World War II in 1945. The United States and the Soviet Union, who were occupying forces, agreed to temporarily split the peninsula at the 38th parallel north to disarm Japanese troops. This temporary division hardened into a permanent one as Cold War tensions rose, leading to the formation of separate governments in the North and South by 1948. Is VPN Safe for Federated Authentication?

What is the DMZ and how was it established?

The DMZ, or Demilitarized Zone, is a 4-kilometer-wide 2.5-mile buffer strip that separates North and South Korea. It was established at the end of the Korean War in 1953 through the Korean Armistice Agreement, which halted hostilities but did not officially end the war with a peace treaty. Both sides withdrew their forces from the Military Demarcation Line MDL, which forms the center of the DMZ, to create this neutral zone.

Is South Korea divided into states like the U.S.?

No, South Korea is not divided into “states” in the same way the U.S. is. Its highest-level administrative divisions include provinces, metropolitan cities, and special cities, which are distinct in their structure and powers. While some “Special Self-Governing Provinces” like Gangwon and Jeonbuk now use “State” in their official English names for brevity, their administrative system is different from a federal state system.