List of cities in North Korea

The important cities of North Korea have self-governing status equivalent to that of provinces. Pyongyang, the largest city and capital, is classified as a chikhalsi (capital city), while three cities (see the list below) are classified as t'ŭkpyŏlsi (special city). Other cities are classified as si (city) and are under provincial jurisdiction, at the same level as counties (see Administrative divisions of North Korea).

List Notes All population figures come from the 2008 North Korean census. Several former special cities have been re-merged with their provinces, including Chongjin, Hamhung and Kaesong. Rason was annexed into North Hamgyong Province in 2004, but was later promoted back to special city in 2010 to help manage it for foreign investment. Chosŏn'gŭl has replaced Hancha; Hancha has not been officially used in North Korea since the 1950s.

NameKoreanNo.Chosŏn'gŭlHancha   direct-administered city1   special city3   special-level city0   city25

CityChosŏn'gŭlHanchaProvincePopulationFounded Anju South Pyongan 240,117 1987-08-　 Chongjin North Hamgyong 667,929 1985-　-　 Chongju North Pyongan 189,742 1994-　-　 Haeju South Hwanghae 273,300 1945-09-02 Hamhung South Hamgyong 768,551 1967-　-　 Hoeryong North Hamgyong 153,532 1991-07-08 Huichon Chagang 168,180 1967-　-　 Hyesan Ryanggang 192,680 1954-10-　 Kaechon South Pyongan 319,554 1990-08-　 Kaesong AC 308,440 2019-02-28 Kanggye Chagang 251,971 1949-01-　 Kimchaek North Hamgyong 207,299 1953-　-　 Kusong North Pyongan 196,515 1967-10-　 Manpo Chagang 116,760 1961-10-　 Munchon Kangwon 122,934 1991-05-　 Nampo AB 366,341 2011-02-15 Pyongsong South Pyongan 284,386 1969-　-　 Pyongyang AA 3,255,288 1946-09-　 Rason AB 196,954 2010-01-05 Sariwon North Hwanghae 307,764 1947-　-　 Samjiyon Ryanggang 31,471 2019-12-10 Sinpo South Hamgyong 152,759 1960-　-　 Sinuiju North Pyongan 359,341 1947-　-　 Songrim North Hwanghae 128,831 1947-　-　 Sunchon South Pyongan 297,317 1983-10-　 Tokchon South Pyongan 237,133 1986-06-　 Tanchon South Hamgyong 345,876 1983-　-　 Wonsan Kangwon 363,127 1946-09-　

(Note: foundation dates are the dates the cities were legally founded as their current status by the North Korean government. They all existed as prior settlements before these dates.)

See also

Administrative divisions of North Korea Special cities of North Korea List of cities in South Korea Geography of North Korea

References

Further reading Dormels, Rainer. North Korea's Cities: Industrial facilities, internal structures and typification. Jimoondang, 2014.