Why Understanding South Korea's Administrative Map Matters for Your Trip
How South Korea's 17 first-tier provinces and metropolitan cities divide into 226 cities/counties/districts and 3,651 local municipalities—and how to read Korean addresses on Naver Map.
| Category / Option | Key Metric / Schedule | Practical Takeaway |
|---|---|---|
| Teukbyeol-si / Gwangyeok-si | Special & Metropolitan Cities | Seoul, Busan, Incheon, Daegu, Daejeon, Gwangju, Ulsan, Sejong |
| Do (Provinces) & Teukbyeol-jachido | 9 Provinces (incl. Jeju & Gangwon) | Gyeonggi, Gangwon, Chungbuk, Chungnam, Jeonbuk, Jeonnam, Gyeongbuk, Gyeongnam, Jeju |
| Si (City) / Gun (County) / Gu (District) | 226 Second-Tier Municipalities | e.g., Jongno-gu (Seoul), Haeundae-gu (Busan), Gyeongju-si |
| Eup (Town) / Myeon (Township) / Dong (Neighborhood) | 3,651 Local Administrative Units | e.g., Seongsan-eup (Jeju), Myeong-dong, Hwangnam-dong |
Key Action Steps Before & During Your Visit
- Teukbyeol-si / Gwangyeok-si: Special & Metropolitan Cities — Seoul, Busan, Incheon, Daegu, Daejeon, Gwangju, Ulsan, Sejong.
- Do (Provinces) & Teukbyeol-jachido: 9 Provinces (incl. Jeju & Gangwon) — Gyeonggi, Gangwon, Chungbuk, Chungnam, Jeonbuk, Jeonnam, Gyeongbuk, Gyeongnam, Jeju.
- Si (City) / Gun (County) / Gu (District): 226 Second-Tier Municipalities — e.g., Jongno-gu (Seoul), Haeundae-gu (Busan), Gyeongju-si.
- Eup (Town) / Myeon (Township) / Dong (Neighborhood): 3,651 Local Administrative Units — e.g., Seongsan-eup (Jeju), Myeong-dong, Hwangnam-dong.
Pair this guide with our interactive South Korea Itinerary Planner, KORAIL Pass Calculator, and First-Time in South Korea Checklist for a seamless trip.
Frequently asked questions
What is the #1 tip for understanding south korea's administrative map?
How South Korea's 17 first-tier provinces and metropolitan cities divide into 226 cities/counties/districts and 3,651 local municipalities—and how to read Korean addresses on Naver Map.
Official sources & further reading
Rules, prices and schedules change. Confirm details here before you travel: