Korea has had administrative districts that can be considered provinces since the 7th century. These divisions were initially called ju (Korean; Hanja) in Unified Silla and Later Baekje, and there were nine in total. After Goryeo conquered these states in the 10th century, twelve divisions called mok (; ) were established, although they were reorganized into ten do (; ) in the 11th century.

After Joseon's conquest of Goryeo, it reorganized the peninsula into eight do in 1413. The provincial boundaries closely reflected major regional and dialect boundaries, and are still often referred to in Korean today simply as the Eight Provinces. In 1895, as part of the Gabo Reform, the country was redivided into 23 districts (Bu; 부; ), which were replaced a year later by thirteen new provinces. The thirteen provinces of 1896 included three of the original eight provinces, with the five remaining original provinces divided into north and south halves (Bukdo (북도; 北道) and Namdo (남도; 南道) respectively). The thirteen provinces remained unchanged throughout the Japanese colonial period.

With the liberation of Korea in 1945, the Korean peninsula was divided into North Korea and South Korea, with the dividing line established along the 38th parallel. As a result, three provinces—Hwanghae, Gyeonggi, and Gangwon (Kangwŏn)—were divided into North Korea and South Korea in today's era. The special cities of Seoul (South Korea) and P'yŏngyang (North Korea) were formed in 1946. Between 1946 and 1954, five new provinces were created: Jeju in South Korea, and North and South Hwanghae, Chagang, and Ryanggang in North Korea. Since 1954, provincial boundaries in both the North and South have remained unchanged but new cities and special administrative regions have been created.

Provinces of Unified Silla

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Map of 9 districts of Unified Silla with their 5 sub capitals.

The Korean peninsula was mostly unified for the first time by the state Silla in the 7th century.[1] Silla's capital was Geumseong (now Gyeongju).[2] It had five sub-capitals (소경; 小京; sogyeong) at Geumgwan-gyeong (금관경, now Gimhae), Namwon-gyeong (남원경, Namwon), Seowon-gyeong (서원경, Cheongju), Jungwon-gyeong (중원경, Chungju), and Bugwon-gyeong (북원경, Wonju).[3]

The country was divided into nine provinces (; ju): three in the pre-660 territory of Silla, and three each in the territories of the former kingdoms Baekje and Goguryeo.[4]

Provinces of Silla[4]
Province Hangul Hanja Capital Modern equivalent Former kingdom
Yangju [ko] 양주 良州 Yangju Eastern Gyeongsang Silla
Gangju [ko] 강주 康州 Gangju Western South Gyeongsang
Sangju [ko] 상주 尙州 Sangju Western North Gyeongsang
Muju [ko] 무주 武州 Muju South Jeolla Baekje
Jeonju [ko] 전주 全州 Jeonju North Jeolla
Ungju [ko] 웅주 熊州 Gongju South Chungcheong
Hanju [ko] 한주 漢州 Hanju North Chungcheong, Gyeonggi, Hwanghae Goguryeo
Sakju [ko] 삭주 朔州 Sakju Western Gangwon
Myeongju [ko] 명주 溟州 Myeongju Eastern Gangwon

Provinces of Goryeo

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Provinces of Goryeo during the Late Goryeo period

Goryeo was established in the 10th century, and had its capital at Gaegyeong (now Kaesong). It conquered Silla and Later Baekje, and also conquered parts of the former territory of Goguryeo.[5] Goryeo had three subcapitals: Donggyeong (now Gyeongju), Namgyeong (now Seoul), and Seogyeong (now Pyongyang).[6]

Goryeo reorganized its provinces several times. Originally, the country had one royal district (기내; 畿內; ginae) around Gaegyeong and twelve administrative districts (; ; mok).[7] In 995, the twelve districts were redivided into ten provinces (; ; do).[8] In 1005,[8][clarification needed] the ten provinces were again redivided, this time into five provinces and two frontier districts (; ; gye). Gyojudo later became its own province after 1178, making it six provinces and two frontier districts.

Provinces of Goryeo over time
Provinces (pre-995)[7] Provinces (995–1005)[8] Provinces
(post-1005)[9]
Modern equivalent Silla equivalent
Yangju-mok (揚州牧) Gwannae-do Seohae-do (西海道,서해도) Hwanghae Hanju
Hwangju-mok (黃州牧) North Hwanghae
Haeju-mok (海州牧) South Hwanghae
Gwangju-mok (廣州牧) Yanggwang-do(楊廣道,양광도) Gyeonggi
Chungju-mok (忠州牧) Jungwon-do North Chungcheong
Cheongju-mok Ungju
Gongju-mok Hanam-do South Chungcheong
Jeonju-mok (全州牧) Gangnam-do Jeolla-do(전라도) Jeonbuk Jeonju
Naju-mok Haeyang-do(해양도) South Jeolla Muju
Seungju-mok
Sangju-mok Yeongnam-do Gyeongsang-do(경상도) North Gyeongsang Sangju
Jinju-mok Sannam-do Western South Gyeongsang Gangju
Yeongdong-do Eastern South Gyeongsang Yangju
Sakbang-do Gyoju-do(교주도,交州道),also known as gyoju gangneungdo(交州江陵道,교주강릉도)[a] Gangwon Sakju
Donggye(東界,동계),also known as Dongbukmyeon(東北面,동북면) Myeongju
Paeseo-do Bukgye(北界,북계),Also known as Seobukmyeon(西北面,서북면)) Pyeongan

Provinces of Joseon

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The Eight Provinces (Paldo)
 
23 Districts (Isipsambu)
 
13 Provinces (Sipsamdo)

In 1413, Korea (at that time called Joseon) was divided into eight provinces: Chungcheong, Gangwon, Gyeonggi, Gyeongsang, Jeolla, Hamgyŏng (originally called Yeonggil), Hwanghae (originally called P'unghae), and P'yŏngan.

RR Romaja M–R Romaja Hangul Hanja Name origin Capital Region Korean dialect Post-1896 Provinces
Chungcheong Ch'ungch'ŏng 충청도 忠淸道 Chungju (충주 忠州),
Cheongju (청주 淸州)
Gongju Hoseo Chungcheong dialect North Chungcheong
South Chungcheong
Gangwon Kangwŏn 강원도 江原道 Gangneung (강릉 江陵),
Wonju (원주 原州)
Wonju Gwandong
(Yeongseo, Yeongdong[b]
Gangwon dialect Gangwon
Gyeonggi Kyŏnggi 경기도 京畿道 (See note) Hanseong
(Seoul)
Gijeon[c] Seoul dialect Gyeonggi
Gyeongsang Kyŏngsang 경상도 慶尙道 Gyeongju (경주 慶州),
Sangju (상주 尙州)
Daegu Yeongnam Gyeongsang dialect North Gyeongsang
South Gyeongsang
Hamgyeong Hamgyŏng 함경도 咸鏡道 Hamhung (함흥 咸興),
Kyongsong (경성 鏡城)
Hamhung Kwanbuk, Kwannam[d] Hamgyŏng dialect North Hamgyong
South Hamgyong
Hwanghae Hwanghae 황해도 黃海道 Hwangju (황주 黃州),
Haeju (해주 海州)
Haeju Haeso Hwanghae dialect Hwanghae[e]
Jeolla Chŏlla 전라도 全羅道 Jeonju (전주 全州),
Naju (나주 羅州)[f]
Jeonju Honam Jeolla dialect;
Jeju language[g]
North Jeolla
South Jeolla
Pyeongan P'yŏngan 평안도 平安道 Pyongyang (평양 平壤),
Anju (안주 安州)
Pyongyang Kwanso Pyongan dialect North Pyongan
South Pyongan

Districts of Late Joseon period

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In 1895, Korea was redivided into 23 districts (Bu; 부; ), each named for the city or county that was its capital. The districts were short-lived, however, as the following year, the provincial system was restored.

Provinces of the Korean Empire

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In 1896, the former eight provinces were restored, with five of them (Chungcheong, Gyeongsang, Jeolla, Hamgyŏng, and P'yŏngan) being divided into North and South Provinces (Bukdo (북도; 北道) and Namdo (남도; 南道) respectively). The resulting system of thirteen provinces lasted until the Division of Korea in 1945.

The thirteen provinces were: North and South Chungcheong, Gangwon, Gyeonggi, North and South Gyeongsang, North and South Hamgyŏng, Hwanghae, North and South Jeolla, and North and South P'yŏngan.

Provinces of Chōsen

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Provinces of Korea during Japanese rule

Under Colonial Japanese rule, Korean provinces of Korean Empire, remained much the same, only taking on the Japanese reading of the hanja. The Provinces of Chōsen were:

Japanese name Kanji Kana Korean name Hangul
Chūseihoku-dō 忠清北道 ちゅうせいほくどう Chungcheongbuk-do 충청북도
Chūseinan-dō 忠淸南道 ちゅうせいなんどう Chungcheongnam-do 충청남도
Keishōhoku-dō 慶尚北道 けいしょうほくどう Gyeongsangbuk-do 경상북도
Keishōnan-dō 慶尚南道 けいしょうなんどう Gyeongsangnam-do 경상남도
Heianhoku-dō 平安北道 へいあんほくどう Pyeonganbuk-do 평안북도
Heian'nan-dō 平安南道 へいあんなんどう Pyeongannam-do 평안남도
Kōgen-dō 江原道 こうげんどう Gangwon-do 강원도
Kōkai-dō 黃海道 こうかいどう Hwanghae-do 황해도
Kankyōhoku-dō 咸鏡北道 かんきょうほくどう Hamgyeongbuk-do 함경북도
Kankyōnan-dō 咸鏡南道 かんきょうなんどう Hamgyeongnam-do 함경남도
Zenranan-dō 全羅南道 ぜんらなんどう Jeollanam-do 전라남도
Zenrahoku-dō 全羅北道 ぜんらほくどう Jeollabuk-do 전라북도
Keiki-dō 京畿道 けいきどう Gyeonggi-do 경기도

Provincial divisions since the division of Korea

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Provinces of North and South Korea

At the end of World War II in 1945, Korea was divided into Northern Korea and Southern Korea under trusteeship of the Soviet Union and the United States. The peninsula was divided at the 38th parallel in 1945. In 1948, the two zones became the independent countries of North Korea and South Korea.

Three provinces—Hwanghae, Gyeonggi, and Gangwon—were divided by the 38th parallel.

Also in 1946, the cities of Seoul in the south and Pyongyang in the north separated from Gyeonggi and South Pyongan Provinces respectively to become Special Cities. Both North Korea and South Korea have subsequently upgraded other cities to a level equal to a province, and these cities (special cities of North Korea and special cities of South Korea [qq.v.]) are sometimes counted along with provinces.

Finally, the new provinces of Jeju Province (in the south, in 1946) and Chagang Province (in the north, 1949) were formed, from parts of South Jeolla and North Pyongan respectively. In 1954, Ryanggang Province was split from South Hamgyong and Hwanghae was divided into North and South Hwanghae Provinces.

The following table lists the present provincial divisions in the Korean Peninsula.

RR Romaja M–R Romaja Hangul/Chosongul Hanja ISO Type Area Capital Region Country
Busan Pusan 부산시 釜山市 KR-26 City 767 Yeonje Yeongnam South Korea
ChungcheongbukNorth Chungcheong ChungchongbukNorth Ch'ungch'ŏng 충청북도 忠清北道 KR-43 Province 7,436 Cheongju Hoseo South Korea
ChungcheongnamSouth Chungcheong ChungchongnamSouth Ch'ungch'ŏng 충청남도 忠清南道 KR-44 Province 8,352 Hongseong Hoseo South Korea
Daegu Taegu 대구시 大邱市 KR-27 City 884 Jung Yeongnam South Korea
Daejeon Taejŏn 대전시 大田市 KR-30 City 539 Seo Hoseo South Korea
Gangwon Kangwŏn 강원도 江原道 KR-42 Province 16,894 Chuncheon Gwandong South Korea
Gangwon Kangwŏn 강원도 江原道 KP-07 Province 11,091 Wonsan Gwandong North Korea
Gwangju Kwangju 광주시 光州市 KR-29 City 501 Seo Honam South Korea
Gyeonggi Kyŏnggi 경기도 京畿道 KR-41 Province 10,131 Suwon Sudogwon South Korea
GyeongsangbukNorth Gyeongsang KyongsangbukNorth Kyŏngsang 경상북도 慶尙北道 KR-47 Province 19,440 Andong Yeongnam South Korea
GyeongsangnamSouth Gyeongsang KyongsangnamSouth Kyŏngsang 경상남도 慶尙南道 KR-48 Province 11,859 Changwon Yeongnam South Korea
HamgyongbukNorth Hamgyeong HamgyongbukNorth Hamgyŏng 함경북도 咸鏡北道 KP-09 Province 15,980 Chongjin Kwanbuk North Korea
HamgyongnamSouth Hamgyeong HamgyongnamSouth Hamgyŏng 함경남도 咸鏡南道 KP-08 Province 18,534 Hamhung Kwannam North Korea
HwanghaebukNorth Hwanghae HwanghaebukNorth Hwanghae 황해북도 黃海北道 KP-06 Province 8,154 Sariwon Haeso North Korea
HwanghaenamSouth Hwanghae HwanghaenamSouth Hwanghae 황해남도 黃海南道 KP-05 Province 8,450 Haeju Haeso North Korea
Incheon Inch'ŏn 인천시 仁川市 KR-28 City 1,029 Namdong Sudogwon South Korea
Jagang Chagang 자강도 慈江道 KP-04 Province 16,765 Kanggye Kwanso North Korea
Jeju Cheju 제주도 濟州道 KR-49 Province 1,846 Jeju City Jejudo South Korea
JeollabukNorth Jeolla JeollabukNorth Chŏlla 전북특별자치도 全北特別自治道 KR-45 Province 8,043 Jeonju Honam South Korea
JeollanamSouth Jeolla ChollanamSouth Chŏlla 전라남도 全羅南道 KR-46 Province 11,858 Muan Honam South Korea
Nampo Namp'o 남포시 南浦市 KP-?? City 829 Kangsŏ Kwanso North Korea
Naseon Rasŏn 나선시/라선시 羅先市 KP-13 City 746 Rajin Kwanbuk North Korea
PyeonganbukNorth Pyeongan PyonganbukNorth P'yŏngan 평안북도 平安北道 KP-03 Province 12,680 Sinuiju Kwanso North Korea
PyeongannamSouth Pyeongan PyongannamSouth P'yŏngan 평안남도 平安南道 KP-02 Province 11,891 Pyongsong Kwanso North Korea
Pyeongyang P'yŏngyang 평양시 平壤市 KP-01 City 1,100 Chung Kwanso North Korea
Gaeseong Kaesŏng 개성시 開城市 none City 442 Kaepung Haeso North Korea
Yanggang Ryanggang 양강도/량강도 兩江道 KP-10 Province 13,880 Hyesan Kwannam North Korea
Sejong Sejong 세종시 世宗市 KR-50 City 465 Hansol Hoseo South Korea
Seoul Sŏul 서울시 서울市[1] KR-11 City 605 Jung Sudogwon South Korea
Ulsan Ulsan 울산시 蔚山市 KR-31 City 1,057 Nam Yeongnam South Korea
Notes
1 See Names of Seoul.

See also

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Notes

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  1. ^ Initially installed from part of Donggye in 1178 as Chunchudo(춘주도,春州道).Was once called Dongjudo(동주도,東州道) but named as gyojudo in 1263.From 1314 to 1388 it was known as Hoeyangdo(회양도,淮陽道)as a result of demotion of Gyojumok under Hoeyang.From 1388 to 1392, it was known as gyojugangneungdo after merging with gangneungdo(강릉도,江陵道).
  2. ^ "Gwandong" is the name for the region as a whole, with "Yeongseo" denoting the western half of the province and "Yeongdong" the eastern half. "Yeongdong" is used more often than either of the other two terms, however, especially in reference to railway and road arteries that cross through Gangwon, connecting the Seoul and Yeongdong regions.
  3. ^ The province's name literally means "area within a 500-li (200-km) radius" (gi; ) of the "capital" (Gyeong; ), referring to the royal capital Hanseong (modern-day Seoul). The regional name "Gijeon" is obsolete. The 20th-century term "Sudogwon" ("Capital Region") is used today to denote the Seoul-Incheon conurbation and that part of Gyeonggi Province that forms part of the same built-up, urban area.
  4. ^ "Gwanbuk" was used to designate either the province as whole, or only the northern part thereof. In the latter case, "Gwannam" was then used to denote the southern part of the province.
  5. ^ The modern-day division of the province into North and South did not occur until 1954.
  6. ^ The initial "n" in "Naju" is pronounced as "l" (lower-case "L") when it comes after another consonant; the final "n" in the "Jeon" of "Jeonju" is then assimilated to an "l" sound.
  7. ^ The distinctive Jeju dialect is used on Jeju Island, which became a separate province in 1946.

References

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  1. ^ "Unified Silla Dynasty". Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved 2024-04-26.
  2. ^ 이, 기동, "신라 (新羅)", Encyclopedia of Korean Culture (in Korean), Academy of Korean Studies, retrieved 2024-04-26
  3. ^ 전, 덕재, "오소경 (五小京)", Encyclopedia of Korean Culture (in Korean), Academy of Korean Studies, retrieved 2024-04-26
  4. ^ a b 박, 성현, "구주 (九州)", Encyclopedia of Korean Culture (in Korean), Academy of Korean Studies, retrieved 2024-04-26
  5. ^ 박, 종기(국민대 명예교수), "고려 (高麗)", Encyclopedia of Korean Culture (in Korean), Academy of Korean Studies, retrieved 2024-04-26
  6. ^ "3경". 우리역사넷. National Institute of Korean History. Retrieved 2024-04-26.
  7. ^ a b 김, 현영, "목 (牧)", Encyclopedia of Korean Culture (in Korean), Academy of Korean Studies, retrieved 2024-04-26
  8. ^ a b c "십도 (十道)", Encyclopedia of Korean Culture (in Korean), Academy of Korean Studies, retrieved 2024-04-26
  9. ^ "오도 (五道)", Encyclopedia of Korean Culture (in Korean), Academy of Korean Studies, retrieved 2024-04-26

Sources

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  • Nahm, Andrew C. (1988). Korea: Tradition and Transformation - A History of the Korean People. Elizabeth, NJ: Hollym International.
  • Nahm 1988 (in Korean).
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