North Jeolla Province, officially Jeonbuk State (), is a
Special Self-governing Province of South Korea in the
Honam
Honam (; literally "south of the lake") is a region coinciding with the former Jeolla Province in what is now South Korea. Today, the term refers to Gwangju, South Jeolla Province, Jeju Province and Jeonbuk State. The name "Jeonla-do" is used i ...
region in the southwest of the
Korean Peninsula
Korea is a peninsular region in East Asia consisting of the Korean Peninsula, Jeju Island, and smaller islands. Since the end of World War II in 1945, it has been politically divided at or near the 38th parallel between North Korea (Dem ...
. Jeonbuk borders the provinces of
South Chungcheong to the north,
North Gyeongsang and
South Gyeongsang
South Gyeongsang Province (, ) is a Administrative divisions of South Korea, province in the southeast of South Korea. The provincial capital is at Changwon. It is adjacent to the major metropolitan center and port of Busan. The UNESCO World Heri ...
to the east and
South Jeolla to the south.
Jeonbuk State emerged in 1896 from the northern part of the
old Jeolla province, one of the
Eight Provinces of Korea
During most of the Joseon dynasty, Korea was divided into eight provinces ('' do''; ). The eight provinces' boundaries remained unchanged for about 480 years from 1413 to 1895, and formed a geographic paradigm that is still reflected today i ...
. Originally North Jeolla Province, it was renamed Jeonbuk (a shortening of North Jeolla) on January 18, 2024 concurrent with the territory gaining more autonomy and being classified as self-governing rather than as a regular province. The special bill on the creation of the special autonomous province of North Jeolla is a project put forward by the
People Power Party in August 2022 in accordance with Article 6 of the special law on the establishment of special autonomous provinces.
It is the 3rd province after the provinces of
Jeju and
Gangwon to obtain this status.
Jeonju
Jeonju (, , ) is the capital and List of cities in South Korea, largest city of North Jeolla Province, South Korea. It is both urban and rural due to the closeness of Wanju County which almost entirely surrounds Jeonju (Wanju County has many resi ...
is the capital and largest city of Jeonbuk, with other major cities including
Iksan
Iksan (; ) is a Administrative divisions of South Korea, city and major railway junction in North Jeolla Province, South Korea.
The city center and railway junction was formerly called "Iri" (), but merged with Iksan County (''Iksan-gun'') in 19 ...
,
Gunsan and
Jeongeup.
Jeolla Province, including North Jeolla, was the first province/state 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
North Jeolla served as the central region of Mahan among the Samhan, housing 15 of Mahan's total 54 tribal states.
Three Kingdoms period
During the Three Kingdom Period, this region came to belong to
Baekje
Baekje or Paekche (; ) was a Korean kingdom located in southwestern Korea from 18 BCE to 660 CE. It was one of the Three Kingdoms of Korea, together with Goguryeo and Silla. While the three kingdoms were in separate existence, Baekje had the h ...
when it absorbed Mahan.When Baekje established the ''Jeongbang administrative system'' () to govern the local area, the central region (Goseopseong–Gobu area) acted as the core of the province.
After the fall of
Baekje
Baekje or Paekche (; ) was a Korean kingdom located in southwestern Korea from 18 BCE to 660 CE. It was one of the Three Kingdoms of Korea, together with Goguryeo and Silla. While the three kingdoms were in separate existence, Baekje had the h ...
by the
Silla
Silla (; Old Korean: wikt:徐羅伐#Old Korean, 徐羅伐, Yale romanization of Korean, Yale: Syerapel, Revised Romanization of Korean, RR: ''Seorabeol''; International Phonetic Alphabet, IPA: ) was a Korean kingdom that existed between ...
and Chinese
Tang dynasty
The Tang dynasty (, ; zh, c=唐朝), or the Tang Empire, was an Dynasties of China, imperial dynasty of China that ruled from 618 to 907, with an Wu Zhou, interregnum between 690 and 705. It was preceded by the Sui dynasty and followed ...
allied forces in 660 (20th year of
King Uija), it came under Tang control. It became a part of Silla when Tang was
expelled in 676 (16th year of
King Munmu).
When there were nine states and five small capitals in
Unified Silla in 685, there were Wansan-ju (present
Jeonju
Jeonju (, , ) is the capital and List of cities in South Korea, largest city of North Jeolla Province, South Korea. It is both urban and rural due to the closeness of Wanju County which almost entirely surrounds Jeonju (Wanju County has many resi ...
) and Namwon-gyeong (present
Namwon) in Jeonbuk State in existence.
Later Three Kingdoms period
In 892, when General
Kyŏn Hwŏn founded
Hubaekje (later Baekje), this area was the center of the country for about 50 years. In 936, during the Hubaekje rule of
Kyŏn Sin-gŏm, it was conquered by
Wang Geon and became part of his
Goryeo Dynasty
Goryeo (; ) was a Korean state founded in 918, during a time of national division called the Later Three Kingdoms period, that unified and ruled the Korea, Korean Peninsula until the establishment of Joseon in 1392. Goryeo achieved what has b ...
. From 900 to the time when Hubaekje was conquered by Goryeo, Wansan-ju (present Jeonju) had been its capital, and the country ruled the whole Jeolla-do region.
Goryeo Dynasty
In 996 (14th year of
King Seongjong), this region was named Gangnam province and the Korean government established the four states (Jeonju-Jeonju province, Yeongju-Gobu, Sunju-Sunchang, and Maju-Okgu) in the North Jeolla region.
Gangnam-do (Jeonbuk) and Haenam-do (
South Jeolla Province
South Jeolla Province (), formerly South Chŏlla Province, also known as Jeonnam (), is a province in the Honam, Honam region, South Korea, and the Provinces of Korea, southernmost province in mainland Korea. South Jeolla borders the provinces of ...
) were combined and titled as Jeolla-do in 1018 (9th year of King Hyeonjong's reign).
Joseon Dynasty
During the
Joseon
Joseon ( ; ; also romanized as ''Chosun''), officially Great Joseon (), was a dynastic kingdom of Korea that existed for 505 years. It was founded by Taejo of Joseon in July 1392 and replaced by the Korean Empire in October 1897. The kingdom w ...
period, as the administrative districts of the whole nation were organized in the
Eight Provinces system in 1413 (13th year of
King Taejong's reign), Jeolla-do took charge of vast areas of one prefecture, four autonomous counties, four protectorates, 12 counties, and 31 counties covering present Jeollanam-do, Jeollabuk-do and
Jeju Province
Jeju Province (; ), officially Jeju Special Self-Governing Province (Jeju language, Jeju: ; ), is the southernmost Provinces of South Korea, province of South Korea, consisting of eight inhabited and 55 uninhabited islands, including Marado, Udo ...
.
Today
In 1963, Geumsan-gun was incorporated into Chungnam, and Wido-myeon of Jeonnam was incorporated into Jeonbuk. Jeongju-eup and Namwon-eup were raised to cities in 1981 and Gimje-eup was raised to city status in 1989. Wansan District and Deokjin District were established in Jeonju-city in the same year.
Due to establishment of cities in the mixed type of city-farming area in 1995, Okgu, Jeungeup, Namwon, Gimje and Iksan-Guns were combined. Gimje and Iksan-guns were merged and Gunsan, Jeonju, Namwon, Gimje and Iri cities were integrated. Through repeated reorganizations of administrative districts, now the region consists of the administrative districts of six cities and eight counties.
Failures in the hosting of the
25th World Scout Jamboree in July 2023 led to political controversy, adding to long-term concerns about a lack of development alongside population decline and aging. As a result of a law passed in December 2023, on January 18, 2024 the North Jeolla became a special self-governing province and was renamed Jeonbuk State (Jeonbuk being an abbreviation of North Jeolla). This new status increases the autonomy of the province's government, being able to approve projects requiring
environmental impact assessments and tailor its own immigration and tourism policies.
On September 30, 2024, North Jeolla Province, alongside the Korean Heritage Service (), announced that they will be opening a multi-use cultural space institution, "Godo-Hannune Iksan Sagyeyousan center/고도 한눈애(愛) 익산 세계유산센터', or the 'Iksan ancient city world heritage center', on October 1, 2024.
Geography

Jeonbuk State is in the south-western part of Korea, bordered on the south-eastern by
Hadong
Hadong County () is a Administrative divisions of South Korea, county in South Gyeongsang Province, South Korea. It is located on the far-west side of the province, bordering South Jeolla Province. The county office is located at Hadeong-eup.
Hist ...
,
Hamyang, and
Geochang in
South Gyeongsang Province
South Gyeongsang Province (, ) is a province in the southeast of South Korea. The provincial capital is at Changwon. It is adjacent to the major metropolitan center and port of Busan. The UNESCO World Heritage Site Haeinsa, a Buddhist temple tha ...
, and
Gimcheon
Gimcheon (; ) is a Administrative divisions of South Korea, city in North Gyeongsang Province, South Korea. It is situated on the major land transportation routes between Seoul and Busan, namely the Gyeongbu Expressway and Gyeongbu Line railway. ...
in
North Gyeongsang Province
North Gyeongsang Province (, ) is a province in eastern South Korea, and with an area of , it is the largest province in the Korean peninsula. The province was formed in 1896 from the northern half of the former Gyeongsang province, and remaine ...
, Bangyabong Peak of
Sobaeksan (), Toggibong Peak (), Myeongseungbong Peak (),
Baegunsan (),
Namdeokyusan Mountain (), and
Muryongsan Mountain (), on the south by
Yeonggwang,
Jangseong,
Damyang,
Gokseong, and
Gurye, on the north by
Geumsan,
Nonsan,
Buyeo, and
Seocheon in
South Chungcheong Province, and
Yeongdong in
North Chungcheong Province and on the west by China over the Yellow Sea.
The total area of Jeonbuk State is , which accounts for 8.1% of the total area of South Korea.
Demographics
Festivals
Source:
Jeonju International Sori Festival
Jeonju International Sori Festival is a high-quality worldwide music art festival based on Pansori, Korea's Intangible Cultural Heritage. It is designed to promote Korean music to the world and exchange diverse musical heritages of many nations though sounds as meditation. The festival was selected as one of the "Best 25 International Festivals" by the UK music magazine ''Songlines'' in 2012 and 2013.
Jeollabuk-do World Calligraphy Biennale
The Jeollabuk-do World Calligraphy Biennale was launched in favor of popularizing and globalizing Korean calligraphy in 1997. Since then, the art of calligraphy, the quintessence of Chinese character culture in East Asia, has gained global interest among calligraphers and the public over the years.
Festivals of Jeollabuk
Transportation and industry
In the 1960s the Honam highway (which has been upgraded to the
Honam Expressway) was built. This created an industrial belt, connecting the cities of
Iri (now called
Iksan
Iksan (; ) is a Administrative divisions of South Korea, city and major railway junction in North Jeolla Province, South Korea.
The city center and railway junction was formerly called "Iri" (), but merged with Iksan County (''Iksan-gun'') in 19 ...
) and
Gunsan (a port city) with the provincial capital of
Jeonju
Jeonju (, , ) is the capital and List of cities in South Korea, largest city of North Jeolla Province, South Korea. It is both urban and rural due to the closeness of Wanju County which almost entirely surrounds Jeonju (Wanju County has many resi ...
.
Public transportation networks serve Jeonju and other cities in Jeollabuk-do including
Gunsan Airport.
*
Jeju International Airport →
Gunsan Airport: twice a day / 50-minute flight
*
Gunsan Airport → Jeonju: Airport shuttle service / 1 hour running
* Gunsan intercity bus service for other cities and counties
Education
National Universities with Graduate Schools
*
Chonbuk National University -
Jeonju
Jeonju (, , ) is the capital and List of cities in South Korea, largest city of North Jeolla Province, South Korea. It is both urban and rural due to the closeness of Wanju County which almost entirely surrounds Jeonju (Wanju County has many resi ...
*
Kunsan National University -
Gunsan
*
Jeonju National University of Education -
Jeonju
Jeonju (, , ) is the capital and List of cities in South Korea, largest city of North Jeolla Province, South Korea. It is both urban and rural due to the closeness of Wanju County which almost entirely surrounds Jeonju (Wanju County has many resi ...
Private Universities with Graduate Schools
*
Howon University –
Gunsan
*
Jeonju University –
Jeonju
Jeonju (, , ) is the capital and List of cities in South Korea, largest city of North Jeolla Province, South Korea. It is both urban and rural due to the closeness of Wanju County which almost entirely surrounds Jeonju (Wanju County has many resi ...
*
Woosuk University –
Wanju County,
Jeonju
Jeonju (, , ) is the capital and List of cities in South Korea, largest city of North Jeolla Province, South Korea. It is both urban and rural due to the closeness of Wanju County which almost entirely surrounds Jeonju (Wanju County has many resi ...
Campus
*
Wonkwang University –
Iksan
Iksan (; ) is a Administrative divisions of South Korea, city and major railway junction in North Jeolla Province, South Korea.
The city center and railway junction was formerly called "Iri" (), but merged with Iksan County (''Iksan-gun'') in 19 ...
*
Won Buddhism Graduate School –
Iksan
Iksan (; ) is a Administrative divisions of South Korea, city and major railway junction in North Jeolla Province, South Korea.
The city center and railway junction was formerly called "Iri" (), but merged with Iksan County (''Iksan-gun'') in 19 ...
*
Yewon Arts University –
Imsil County Campus
National Institutes of Higher Education
*
Korea National College of Agriculture and Fisheries -
Jeonju
Jeonju (, , ) is the capital and List of cities in South Korea, largest city of North Jeolla Province, South Korea. It is both urban and rural due to the closeness of Wanju County which almost entirely surrounds Jeonju (Wanju County has many resi ...
Private Institutes of Higher Education
*
Jeonju Kijeon College –
Jeonju
Jeonju (, , ) is the capital and List of cities in South Korea, largest city of North Jeolla Province, South Korea. It is both urban and rural due to the closeness of Wanju County which almost entirely surrounds Jeonju (Wanju County has many resi ...
*
Jeonju Technical College -
Jeonju
Jeonju (, , ) is the capital and List of cities in South Korea, largest city of North Jeolla Province, South Korea. It is both urban and rural due to the closeness of Wanju County which almost entirely surrounds Jeonju (Wanju County has many resi ...
*
Kunsan College of Nursing -
Gunsan
*
Kunjang College –
Gunsan
*
Paekche Institute of the Arts –
Wanju County
*
Wonkwang Health Science College –
Iksan
Iksan (; ) is a Administrative divisions of South Korea, city and major railway junction in North Jeolla Province, South Korea.
The city center and railway junction was formerly called "Iri" (), but merged with Iksan County (''Iksan-gun'') in 19 ...
Religion
According to the census of 2005 of the people of Jeonbuk 37.7% follow
Christianity
Christianity is an Abrahamic monotheistic religion, which states that Jesus in Christianity, Jesus is the Son of God (Christianity), Son of God and Resurrection of Jesus, rose from the dead after his Crucifixion of Jesus, crucifixion, whose ...
(26.3%
Protestantism
Protestantism is a branch of Christianity that emphasizes Justification (theology), justification of sinners Sola fide, through faith alone, the teaching that Salvation in Christianity, salvation comes by unmerited Grace in Christianity, divin ...
and 11.4%
Catholicism
The Catholic Church (), also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the List of Christian denominations by number of members, largest Christian church, with 1.27 to 1.41 billion baptized Catholics Catholic Church by country, worldwid ...
) and 12.8% follow
Buddhism
Buddhism, also known as Buddhadharma and Dharmavinaya, is an Indian religion and List of philosophies, philosophical tradition based on Pre-sectarian Buddhism, teachings attributed to the Buddha, a wandering teacher who lived in the 6th or ...
. 49.5% of the population is mostly not religious or follow
Muism
Korean shamanism, also known as () is a religion from Korea. Religious studies, Scholars of religion classify it as a folk religion and sometimes regard it as one facet of a broader Korean vernacular religion distinct from Buddhism, Taoism, Dao ...
and other indigenous religions.
Economy
Based on the provisional figures for 2019,
GRDP is
KRW 495.9 billion and per capita GRDP is KRW 28.7 million.
The main industry is the service industry, with 68.3% in the
service industry, 21.2% in the mining industry, 9.7% in the construction industry, and 0.8% in agriculture and fishing. Rice, barley, peaches, ginseng, peppers, ginger, walnuts, and dried persimmons are mainly produced.
Government
International sisterhood relationships and partnerships
* Sisterhood relationship
**
Jiangsu
Jiangsu is a coastal Provinces of the People's Republic of China, province in East China. It is one of the leading provinces in finance, education, technology, and tourism, with its capital in Nanjing. Jiangsu is the List of Chinese administra ...
, People's Republic of China (27 October 1994)
**
Washington, United States (17 May 1996)
**
New Jersey
New Jersey is a U.S. state, state located in both the Mid-Atlantic States, Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern United States, Northeastern regions of the United States. Located at the geographic hub of the urban area, heavily urbanized Northeas ...
, United States (19 May 2000)
* Partnership
**
Kagoshima Prefecture
is a Prefectures of Japan, prefecture of Japan located on the island of Kyushu and the Ryukyu Islands. Kagoshima Prefecture has a population of 1,527,019 (1 February 2025) and has a geographic area of 9,187 Square kilometre, km2 (3,547 Square m ...
, Japan (30 October 1989)
**
Ishikawa Prefecture
is a Prefectures of Japan, prefecture of Japan located in the Chūbu region of Honshu island. Ishikawa Prefecture has a population of 1,096,721 (1 January 2025) and has a geographic area of 4,186 Square kilometre, km2 (1,616 sq mi). Ishikawa Pr ...
, Japan (10 September 2001)
**
Shanghai
Shanghai, Shanghainese: , Standard Chinese pronunciation: is a direct-administered municipality and the most populous urban area in China. The city is located on the Chinese shoreline on the southern estuary of the Yangtze River, with the ...
, People's Republic of China (17 April 2003)
**
Shandong
Shandong is a coastal Provinces of China, province in East China. Shandong has played a major role in Chinese history since the beginning of Chinese civilization along the lower reaches of the Yellow River. It has served as a pivotal cultural ...
, People's Republic of China (2 November 2006)
Administrative divisions
Tourism
*
Jeonju
Jeonju (, , ) is the capital and List of cities in South Korea, largest city of North Jeolla Province, South Korea. It is both urban and rural due to the closeness of Wanju County which almost entirely surrounds Jeonju (Wanju County has many resi ...
—
Jeonju Hanok Village, Jeondong Catholic Church, Gyeonggijeon Shrine, Jeonju Hanji Museum, Royal Portrait Museum, Jeonju Gaeksa, Jeonjuhyanggyo Confucian School, Ajung Lake, Deokjin Park,
*
Namwon — Gwanghallu Pavilion, Chunhyang Theme Park, Manin Cemetery of Righteous Fighters,
Silsangsa Temple, Gyoryong Sanseong Fortress
*
Gochang — Gochangeupseong Fortress,
Seonunsa Temple, Pansori Museum
*
Iksan
Iksan (; ) is a Administrative divisions of South Korea, city and major railway junction in North Jeolla Province, South Korea.
The city center and railway junction was formerly called "Iri" (), but merged with Iksan County (''Iksan-gun'') in 19 ...
—
Mireuksaji Pagoda, Wanggungri Five-story Stone Pagoda
*
Gimje —
Geumsansa Temple
*
Gunsan — Hirotsu House, Dongguksa Temple, Modern History Museum
*
Buan —
Tapsa Temple, Byeonsanbando National Park
*
Imsil — Imsil Cheese Village
See also
*
Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors FC
References
External links
*
*
North Jeolla Province newsTravel InformationSPECIAL ACT ON THE ESTABLISHMENT OF JEONBUK SPECIAL SELF-GOVERNING PROVINCEAct No. 19214, Jan. 17, 2023, Amended by Act No. 19430, jun. 9, 2023
{{Authority control
Provinces of South Korea
Autonomous provinces