South Jeolla Province (), name sometimes rendered as Jeollanam-do, was a province in the Honam region, South Korea, and the southernmost province in mainland Korea. It was made defunct on July 1, 2026. Its former territory has been combined with the former city of Gwangju into a new "special metropolitan city" called Jeonnam-Gwangju.
South Jeolla bordered the provinces of North Jeolla to the north, South Gyeongsang to the northeast, and Jeju to the southwest in the Korea Strait.
Suncheon was the largest city in the province, closely followed by Yeosu. Other major cities include Mokpo, Gwangyang and Naju.
Jeolla-do, including both North and South Jeolla, was the first province out of the Eight Provinces system to have its 1000th year anniversary in 2018, as the name 'Jeolla-do' was established in 1018, during Hyeonjong of Goryeo's 9th year in power.
History
Proto Three Kingdoms period During the Samhan period, South Jeolla belonged to Mahan ()
Three Kingdoms period In the Three Kingdoms period, it belonged to Gujihakseong () of the southern five regions of Baekje (), with Mujinju () as its center.
Unified Silla, North and South period During the Unified Silla period, with the establishment of nine provinces and five subordinate regions, the area remained under Mujinju. In the 16th year of King Gyeongdeok's reign (757), Mujinju was renamed to Muju () and came to oversee 15 counties (군; 郡) and 43 prefectures (군; 縣).
Goryeo dynasty In the 2nd year of King Seongjong of Goryeo (983), when the national administrative divisions were reorganized into twelve mok (목), Naju-mok and Seungju-mok were established. In the 14th year of King Seongjong's reign (995), with the implementation of the province (도) system, the nation was divided into ten provinces(도), and the region was called Haeyangdo (). In the 9th year of King Hyeonjong's reign, Haeyangdo was merged with Gangnamdo, and the name Jeollado (全羅道) was officially adopted.
Joseon dynasty During the Joseon Dynasty, the country was divided into eight provinces, and names such as Gwangnamdo (光南道), Jeongwangdo (全光道), and Jeonnamdo (全南道) were occasionally used. However, the name Jeollado was predominantly maintained.
On May 26, 1895 (the 32nd year of King Gojong's reign), with the implementation of the 23-bu system, Jeollado was subdivided into Jeonju-bu (全州府), Namwon-bu (南原府), Naju-bu (羅州府), and Jeju-bu (濟州府). Currently, seven cities and counties, including Suncheon and Damyang, belong to Namwon-bu, and Yeonggwang and Jangseong is part of Jeonju-bu, and the remaining sixteen cities and counties belong to Naju-bu.
On August 4, 1896 (the 33rd year of King Gojong's reign), Decree No. 36 abolished the 23-bu system. During the reorganization process, the existing eight provinces were divided into thirteen provinces by splitting five provinces (Jeollado, Chungcheongdo, Gyeongsangdo, etc.) into northern and southern regions. As a result, Jeollado was split into north and south, with the southern part being renamed Jeollanam-do (전라남도),or South Jeolla Province, as it is known today, encompassing 1 moks(목/牧) and 32 counties (군/gun).
Geography The province is part of the Honam region, and is bounded on the west by the Yellow Sea, on the north by Jeollabuk-do Province, on the south by Jeju Strait, and on the east by Gyeongsangnam-do.
There are almost 2,000 islands along the coastline, about three quarters of which are uninhabited. The coastline is about long. Some of the marine products, in particular oyster and seaweed cultivation, are leading in South Korea.
The province is only partially mountainous. The plains along the rivers Seomjin, Yeongsan and Tamjin are suitable for large-scale grain agriculture. There is abundant rainfall in the area, which helps agriculture. The province is also home to the warmest weather on the peninsula. This helps to produce large amounts of agricultural produce, mainly rice, wheat, barley, pulses and potatoes. Vegetables, cotton and fruits are also grown in the province.
Environment A small amount of gold and coal is mined in the province, but industries have also been developed in the area. The amount of harmful heavy metals in the province is one-thirtieth of the environmental standard requirement, boasting clean air.
Demographics
Source: SOUTH KOREA: South Jeolla Province – Further information about the population structure(CITY POPULATION)
Administrative divisions South Jeolla Province was divided into 5 cities (si) and 17 counties (gun). Listed below is the name of each entity in English, hangul, and hanja.
Map Name Hangul Hanja Population (2024)Area (km2)Population density 2021 (per km2) Subdivisions Yeosu268,823510.08 km2526.75/km21 eup, 6 myeon, 20 haengjeong-dong Mokpo목포시木浦市210,80651.58 km24,288.06/km223 haengjeong-dongSuncheon순천시順天市276,375907.43 km2301.76/km21 eup, 10 myeon, 13 haengjeong-dongGwangyang광양시光陽市154,226458.89 km2314.29/km21 eup, 6 myeon, 5 haengjeong-dongNaju나주시羅州市116,891608.45 km2189.23/km21 eup, 12 myeon, 7 haengjeong-dongMuan County무안군務安郡92,009448.95 km2200.68/km23 eup, 6 myeonHaenam County해남군海南郡63,4571,013.8 km262.38/km21 eup, 13 myeonGoheung County고흥군高興郡60,385807.23 km272.93/km22 eup, 14 myeonHwasun County화순군和順郡60,886786.9 km276.42/km21 eup, 12 myeonYeongam County영암군靈巖郡55,998604.24 km292.68/km22 eup, 9 myeonYeonggwang County영광군靈光郡48,981473.69 km2103.40/km23 eup, 8 myeonWando County완도군莞島郡47,210396.13 km2119.18/km23 eup, 9 myeonDamyang County담양군潭陽郡44,034455.12 km296.75/km21 eup, 11 myeonBoseong County보성군寶城郡36,981663.35 km255.75/km22 eup, 10 myeonJangseong County장성군長城郡40,604518.65 km278.29/km21 eup, 10 myeonJangheung County장흥군長興郡34,268618.2 km255.43/km23 eup, 7 myeonGangjin County강진군康津郡31,941500.28 km263.85/km21 eup, 10 myeonSinan County신안군新安郡34,000663.59 km251.24/km22 eup, 12 myeonHampyeong County함평군咸平郡29,369392.43 km274.84/km21 eup, 8 myeonJindo County진도군珍島郡29,013440.1 km265.92/km21 eup, 6 myeonGokseong County곡성군谷城郡26,781547.44 km248.92/km21 eup, 10 myeonGurye County구례군求禮郡23,543443.2 km253.12/km21 eup, 7 myeon
Sister cities and provinces State of Arizona, United States State of Maryland, United States Gyeongsan, South Korea Ipswich, Queensland, Australia Bà Rịa–Vũng Tàu province, Vietnam Bình Phước province, Vietnam State of Oregon, United States Sichuan Province, China Alcochete, Portugal
Religion
According to the census of 2005, of the people of South Jeolla 30.5% followed Christianity (21.8% Protestantism and 8.7% Catholicism) and 16.1% followed Buddhism. 53.4% of the population was mostly not religious or followed Muism and other indigenous religions.
Education
National universities with graduate schools Chonnam National University - Yeosu Campus Mokpo National Maritime University – Mokpo Mokpo National University - Mokpo/Muan County/Yeongam County Sunchon National University – Suncheon
Private universities with graduate schools Dongshin University – Naju Gwangju Catholic University – Naju Mokpo Catholic University – Mokpo Sehan University - Yeongam County Campus Youngsan Won Buddhist University – Yeonggwang County Chodang University – Muan County Hanlyo University – Gwangyang
Public institutes of higher education Jeonnam Provincial College – Damyang County/Jangheung County
Private institutes of higher education Chunnam Techno University – Gokseong County Dong-A College – Yeongam County Hanyeong College – Yeosu Koguryeo College - Naju Kwangyang Health College – Gwangyang Mokpo Science University – Mokpo Suncheon First College – Suncheon Suncheon Cheongam College – Suncheon
Governor
31st: Heo Kyung-man (July 1, 1995 – July 1, 1998) – 1st term 32nd: Heo Kyung-man (July 1, 1998 – July 1, 2002) – 2nd term 33rd: Park Tae-young (July 1, 2002 – April 29, 2004) – 1st term 34th: Park Jun-young (June 6, 2004 – July 1, 2006) – 1st term 35th: Park Jun-young (July 1, 2006 – July 1, 2010) – 2nd term 36th: Park Jun-young (July 1, 2010 – July 1, 2014) – 3rd term 37th: Lee Nak-yeon (July 1, 2014 – May 12, 2018) 38th: Kim Yung-rok (July 1, 2018 – June 30, 2026)
Economy Gwangyang Steel Mill, one of the world's largest single steel producer with an annual capacity of 21 million tons, was located in the city of Gwangyang. In addition, Yeosu National Industrial Complex, the nation's largest petrochemical industrial complex, was located in Yeosu City.
In February 2025, South Korea announced plans for a $35 billion data center for artificial intelligence applications with a 3GW capacity to be built in the South Jeolla. An agreement was made to ensure the data center has access to energy, water, and other essential resources.
Transportation Rail KTX Honam Line: Seoul station to GwangjuSongjeong station KTX Honam Line: Seoul station to Mokpo station
Roads Expressway No.10 Expressway No.15
Airports
Muan International Airport Yeosu Airport Gwangju Airport
Tourism
Yeosu – Jinnamgwan Hall, Hyangiram, Yi Sun Shin Square Suncheon – Songgwangsa Temple, Seonamsa Temple, Nagan Eupseong Folk Village Mokpo – Mokpo Modern History Museum, Gatbawi Rock, Yudal Mountain Haenam – Ttanggut (End of the Land) Village, Mihwangsa Temple Gurye – Hwaeomsa Temple Damyang – Damyang Juknokwon, Metasequoia-lined Road, Soswaewon Garden Boseong – Boseong Green Tea Field Daehan Dawon Dochodo – Seonggaksa
See also North Jeolla Province
Notes
References
Sources
External links