The Committee for the Five Northern Korean Provinces (, literally "The North's Five Provinces Committee") is a South Korean government body under the Ministry of the Interior and Safety.

History

Established in 1949, the committee is officially responsible for the administration of the five Korean provinces located entirely north of the 38th Parallel, also known as the Military Demarcation Line, as the South Korean government formally claims to be the sole legitimate government of the entirety 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 ...

. The South Korean government does not officially recognize any changes to the borders of the northern provinces made by the North Korean government since its establishment in 1949. The

President of South Korea The president of the Republic of Korea (), also known as the president of South Korea (), is the head of state and head of government of South Korea. The president directs the executive branch of the Government of South Korea, government and is ...

appoints governors for each of the five provinces. However, their role is largely symbolic (comparable to

titular bishop A titular bishop in various churches is a bishop who is not in charge of a diocese. By definition, a bishop is an "overseer" of a community of the faithful, so when a priest is ordained a bishop, the tradition of the Catholic, Eastern Orthodox an ...

s), as the territory is under the effective jurisdiction of

North Korea North Korea, officially the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), is a country in East Asia. It constitutes the northern half of the Korea, Korean Peninsula and borders China and Russia to the north at the Yalu River, Yalu (Amnok) an ...

. The committee's main practical function is to provide support to North Korean defectors living in South Korea, including helping with the resettlement of North Koreans and organizing social events for North Koreans. Despite its name, the committee plays no part in

North Korea–South Korea relations Formerly a Korean Empire, single nation that was Korea under Japanese rule, annexed by Empire of Japan, Japan in 1910, the Korean Peninsula was Division of Korea, divided into occupation zones since the end of World War II on 2 September 1945. T ...

; North Korean affairs are handled by the Ministry of Unification. In the event of a North Korean collapse, contingency plans call for a new government body to be set up to administer the North under the leadership of the Unification Minister. In that case, the five governors would have to resign and the committee would be disbanded.

North Hamgyeong

North Hamgyeong Province or ''Hamgyeongbuk-do'' () corresponds to North Korea's North Hamgyong Province, Rason Special City and part of Ryanggang Province. Hamgyeongbuk-do is divided into 3 cities (''si'') and 11 counties (''gun''): Cities: * Cheongjin () ** 60 '' dong'' * Najin () ** 80 ''dong'' * Seongjin () ** 11 ''dong'' Counties: * Gyeongseong () ''(administrative center at Gyeongseong-myeon)'' ** 2 '' eup'' : Jueul, Eodaejin ** 4 '' myeon'' : Gyeongseong, Eorang, Jubuk, Junam * Myeongcheon () ''(administrative center at Sangwubuk-myeon)'' ** 10 ''myeon'' : Sangwubuk, Dong, Sangga, Sanggo, Sangwunam, Seo, Agan, Haga, Hago, Hawu * Gilju () ** 1 ''eup'' : Gilju ** 5 ''myeon'' : Deoksan, Donghae, Yangsa, Ungpyeong, Jangbaek * Hakseong () ''(administrative center at Seongjin)'' ** 5 ''myeon'' : Hakseo, Hakdong, Hakjung, Haknam, Haksang * Buryeong () ** 8 ''myeon'' : Buryeong, Gwanhae, Bugeo, Samhae, Seosang, Seokmak, Yeoncheon, Cheongam * Musan () ** 1 ''eup'' : Musan ** 9 ''myeon'' : Dong, Samjang, Samsa, Seoha, Eoha, Yeonsa, Yeonsang, Yeongbuk, Punggye * Hoenyeong () ** 1 ''eup'' : Hoenyeong ** 6 ''myeon'' : Byeokseong, Boeul, Yongheung, Changdu, Paleul, Hwapyeong * Jongseong () ** 6 ''myeon'' : Jongseong, Namsan, Yonggye, Punggok, Haengyeong, Hwabang * Onseong () ** 6 ''myeon'' : Onseong, Namyang, Mipo, Yeongwa, Yeongchung, Hunyung * Gyeongwon () ** 6 ''myeon'' : Gyeongwon, Dongwon, Asan, Annong, Yongdeok, Yudeok * Gyeongheung () ''(administrative center at Unggi-eup)'' ** 2 ''eup'' : Unggi, Aoji ** 3 ''myeon'' : Gyeonghung, Punghae, Noseo

South Hamgyeong

South Hamgyeong Province (, ''Hamgyeongnam-do'') () corresponds to North Korea's South Hamgyong Province, as well as parts of Ryanggang Province, Chagang Province, Kangwon Province and China's Jilin Province (several parts of Hyesan County ( Heaven Lake) are under the rule of China, and other parts of same county are claimed by the

Republic of China Taiwan, officially the Republic of China (ROC), is a country in East Asia. The main geography of Taiwan, island of Taiwan, also known as ''Formosa'', lies between the East China Sea, East and South China Seas in the northwestern Pacific Ocea ...

). Hamgyeongnam-do is divided into 3 cities (si) and 16 counties (gun): Cities: * Hamheung () ** 78 '' dong'' * Heungnam () ** 75 ''dong'' *

Wonsan Wonsan (), previously known as Wonsanjin (), is a port city and naval base located in Kangwon Province (North Korea), Kangwon Province, North Korea, along the eastern side of the Korean Peninsula, on the Sea of Japan and the provincial capital. ...

() ** 88 ''dong'' Counties: * Hamju () ''(administrative center at Hamheung)'' ** 16 '' myeon'' : Gigok, Deoksan, Dongcheon, Sampyeong, Sanggicheon, Sangjoyang, Seondeok, Yeonpo, Jubuk, Juseo, Juji, Cheonseo, Cheonwon, Toejo, Hagicheon, Hajoyang * Sinheung () ** 8 ''myeon'' : Sinheung, Gapyeong, Sangwoncheon, Seogocheon, Yeonggo, Wonpyeong, Hawoncheon, Dongsang * Jeongpyeong () ** 8 ''myeon'' : Chongpyong, Gosan, Gwangdeok, Gwirim, Munsan, Sinsang, Jangwon, Jui * Yeongheung () ** 1 '' eup'' : Yeongheung ** 11 ''myeon'' : Goryeong, Deokheung, Seonheung, Sunryeong, Eokgi, Yodeok, Inheung, Jangheung, Jinpyeong, Hodo, Heongcheon * Gowon () ** 1 ''eup'' : Gowon ** 5 ''myeon'' : Gunnae, Sangok, Sangsan, Sudong, Ungok * Muncheon () ''(administrative center at Muncheon-myeon)'' ** 1 ''eup'' : Cheonnae ** 7 ''myeon'' : Muncheon, Deokwon, Myeonggu, Bukseong, Unrim, Pungsang, Pungha * Anbyeon () ** 7 ''myeon'' : Anbyeon, Ando, Seokwangsa, Baehwa, Seogok, Singosan, Sinmo * Hongwon () ** 1 ''eup'' : Hongwon ** 6 ''myeon'' : Gyeongwun, Bohyeon, Samho, Yongwon, Yongpo, Unhak * Bukcheong () ** 3 ''eup'' : Bukcheong, Sinpo, Sinchang ** 11 ''myeon'' : Gahoe, Geosan, Deokseong, Sanggeoseo, Seongdae, Sokhu, Sin-Bukcheong, Yanghwa, Igok, Hageoseo, Huchang * Iwon () ''(administrative center at Iwon-myeon)'' ** 1 ''eup'' : Chaho ** 3 ''myeon'' : Iwon, Dong, Namsong * Dancheon () ** 1 ''eup'' : Dancheon ** 8 ''myeon'' : Gwangcheon, Damduil, Bokgwi, Bukdoil, Suha, Sinman, Ijung, Hada * Jangjin () ** 7 ''myeon'' : Jangjin, Dongmun, Dongha, Buk, Sangnam, Seohan, Jungnam * Pungsan () ** 5 ''myeon'' : Pungsan, Ansan, Ansu, Ungyi, Cheonnam * Samsu () ** 7 ''myeon'' : Samsu, Geumsu, Gwanheung, Samseo, Sinpa, Jaseo, Hoin * Gapsan () ** 5 ''myeon'' : Gapsan, Dongin, Jindong, Sannam, Hoerin * Hyesan () ** 1 ''eup'' : Hyesan ** 5 ''myeon'' : Daejin, Byeoldong, Bocheon, Bongdu, Unheung

Hwanghae

Hwanghae Province or ''Hwanghae-do'' () corresponds to North Korea's

North Hwanghae Province North Hwanghae Province (Hwanghaebuk-to; , lit. "north Yellow Sea province") is a province of North Korea. The province was formed in 1954 when the former Hwanghae Province was split into North and South Hwanghae. The provincial capital is S ...

(except

Kaesong Kaesong (, ; ) is a special city in the southern part of North Korea (formerly in North Hwanghae Province), and the capital of Korea during the Taebong kingdom and subsequent Goryeo dynasty. The city is near the Kaesong Industrial Region cl ...

which is claimed to be part of Gyeonggi Province) and South Hwanghae Province. Hwanghae-do is divided into 3 cities (si) and 17 counties (gun): Cities: *

Haeju Haeju () is a city located in South Hwanghae Province near Haeju Bay in North Korea. It is the administrative centre of South Hwanghae Province. As of 2008, the population of the city is estimated to be 273,300. At the beginning of the 20th centu ...

() ** 21 '' dong'' *

Sariwon Sariwŏn (; ) is a city in North Korea. It is the capital and largest city of North Hwanghae Province. Population The city's population as of 2008 is 307,764. Administrative divisions Sariwŏn is divided into 31 '' tong'' (neighbourhoods) and ...

() ** 12 ''dong'' * Songnim () ** 28 ''dong'' Counties: * Byeokseong () ''(administrative center at Haeju)'' ** 20 '' myeon'' : Gajwa, Geomdan, Gosan, Nadeok, Daegeo, Donggang, Miyul, Seoseok, Songrim, Unsan, Wolrok, Janggok, Haenam, Geumsan, Naesong, Dongun, Yeongcheon, Ilsin, Cheongryong, Chuhwa * Yeonbaek () ** 1 '' eup'' : Yeonan ** 19 ''myeon'' : Gwaegung, Geumsan, Dochon, Mokdan, Bongbuk, Bongseo, Seoksan, Songbong, Onjeong, Yongdo, Unsan, Yugok, Euncheon, Haeryong, Haeseong, Haewol, Honam, Hodong, Hwaseong * Ongjin () ** 1 ''eup'' : Ongjin ** 10 ''myeon'' : Gacheon, Gyojeong, Dongnam, Bonggu, Bumin, Buk, Seo, Yongyeon, Yongcheon, Heungmi * Jangyeon () ** 1 ''eup'' : Jangyeon ** 9 ''myeon'' : Nakdo, Daegu, Mokgam, Sokdal, Suntaek, Sinhwa, Yongyeon, Haean, Hunam * Geumcheon () ** 12 ''Myeon'' : Geumcheon, Godong, Gui, Sanoe, Seobuk, Seocheon, Oeryu, Ubong, Ungdeok, Jwa, Tosan, Habtan * Singye () ** 8 ''myeon'' : Singye, Go, Dami, Dayul, Maseo, Saji, Jeokyeo, Chon * Pyeongsan () ** 1 ''eup'' : Namcheon ** 13 ''myeon'' : Pyongsan, Goji, Geumam, Masan, Munmu, Sangwol, Seobong, Segok, Sinam, Anseong, Yongsan, Insan, Jeokam * Bongsan () ''(administrative center at Sariwon)'' ** 13 ''myeon'' : Guyeon, Gicheon, Deokjae, Dongseon, Mancheon, Munjeong, Sain, Sansu, Seojeong, Ssangsan, Yeongcheon, Chowa, Toseong * Seoheung () ** 1 ''eup'' : Sinmak ** 10 ''myeon'' : Seoheung, Gupo, Naedeok, Do, Maeyang, Mokgam, Sepyeong, Sosa, Yongpyeong, Yulri * Jaeryeong () ** 1 ''eup'' : Jaeryeong ** 10 ''myeon'' : Namryul, Bukryul, Samgang, Sangseong, Seoho, Sinwon, Eunryong, Jangsu, Cheongcheon, Haseong * Sincheon () ** 1 ''eup'' : Sincheon ** 14 ''myeon'' : Garyeon, Gasan, Gungheung, Nambu, Nowol, Dura, Munmu, Munhwa, Bukbu, Sancheon, Oncheon, Yongmun, Yongjin, Chori * Songhwa () ** 13 ''myeon'' : Songhwa, Punghae, Dowon, Bongrae, Sangri, Yeonbang, Yeonjeong, Unyu, Yulri, Jangyang, Jinpung, Cheondong * Eunyul () ** 7 ''myeon'' : Eunyul, Nambu, Bukbu, Seobu, Ildo, Ido, Jangryeon * Anak () ** 1 ''eup'' : Anak ** 8 ''myeon'' : Daewon, Daehaeng, Munsan, Seoha, Angok, Yongmun, Yongsun, Eunhong * Hwangju () ** 1 ''eup'' : Hwangju ** 11 ''myeon'' : Gurak, Guseong, Dochi, Samjeon, Yeongpung, Ingyo, Junam, Cheonju, Cheongryong, Cheongsu, Heukgyo * Suan () ** 9 ''myeon'' : Suan, Gongpo, Daeseong, Daeo, Doso, Sugu, Yeonam, Yulgye, Cheongok * Goksan () ** 12 ''myeon'' : Goksan, Dohwa, Dongchon, Myeokmi, Bongmyeong, Sangdo, Seochon, Unjung, Iryeong, Cheonggye, Hado, Hwachon

North Pyeongan

North Pyeongan Province or ''Pyeonganbuk-do'' () corresponds to North Korea's

North Pyongan Province North Pyongan Province (also spelled North P'yŏngan; ; ) is a western provinces of North Korea, province of North Korea. The province was formed in 1896 from the northern half of the former Pyongan Province, P'yŏng'an Province, remained a pro ...

, almost all of Chagang Province and a small part of Ryanggang Province. Pyeonganbuk-do is divided into 1 cities (si) and 19 counties (gun): Cities: * Sineuiju () ** 86 '' dong'' Counties: * Euiju () ** 1 '' eup'' : Uiju ** 12 '' myeon'' : Gasan, Gogwan, Goryeongsak, Goseong, Gwangpyeong, Bihyeon, Songjang, Sujin, Oksang, Wolhwa, Wiwon, Wihwa * Yongcheon () ** 1 ''eup'' : Yongampo ** 11 ''myeon'' : Dongha, Naejung, Dongsang, Bura, Bukjung, Yangseo, Yanggwang, Yangha, Oesang, Oeha, Sindo * Cheolsan () ** 6 ''myeon'' : Cheolsan, Baekryang, Buseo, Cham, Seorim, Yeohan * Seoncheon () ** 1 ''eup'' : Seoncheon ** 8 ''myeon'' : Gunsan, Nam, Unjong, Dong, Sucheong, Sinbu, Simcheon, Yongyeon, Taesan * Jeongju () ** 1 ''eup'' : Jeongju ** 12 ''myeon'' : Galsan, Godeok, Goan, Gwaksan, Gwanju, Namseo, Daejeon, Deokeon, Masan, Anheung, Okcheon, Impo * Sakju () ''(administrative center at Sakju-myeon)'' ** 1 ''eup'' : Cheongsu ** 7 ''myeon'' : Sakju, Gugok, Namseo, Sudong, Supung, Oenam, Yangsan * Guseong () ** 10 ''myeon'' : Guseong, Gwanseo, Nodong, Dongsan, Banghyeon, Sagi, Seosan, Obong, Ihyeon, Cheonma * Yeongbyeon () ** 14 ''myeon'' : Yeongbyeon, Goseong, Namsong, Namsinhyeon, Doksan, Baekryeong, Bongsan, Buksinhyeon, Sorim, Yeonsan, Ori, Yongsan, Taepyeong, Palwon * Bakcheon () ** 1 ''eup'' : Bakcheon ** 7 ''myeon'' : Gasan, Deokan, Dongnam, Seo, Yangga, Yonggye, Cheongryong * Taecheon () ** 9 ''myeon'' : Taecheon, Gangdong, Gangseo, Nam, Dong, Seo, Seoseong, Won, Jangrim * Unsan () ''(administrative center at Unsan-myeon)'' ** 1 ''eup'' : Bukjin ** 4 ''myeon'' : Unsan, Dongsin, Seong, Wiyeon * Changseong () ** 5 ''myeon'' : Changseong, Daechang, Dongchang, Sinchang, Cheongsan * Byeokdong () ** 7 ''myeon'' : Byeokdong, Gabyeol, Gwonhoe, Seongnam, Songseo, Obuk, Usi * Chosan () ** 9 ''myeon'' : Chosan, Gang, Go, Nam, Dowon, Dong, Song, Pan, Pung * Wiwon () ** 7 ''myeon'' : Wiwon, Daedeok, Seotae, Bongsan, Sungjeong, Wisong, Hwachang * Heuicheon () ** 1 ''eup'' : Heuicheon ** 7 ''myeon'' : Nam, Dong, Dongchang, Buk, Seo, Sinpung, Jangdong, Jin * Ganggye () ** 2 ''eup'' : Ganggye, Manpo ** 15 ''myeon'' : Ganbuk, Gosan, Gokha, Gongbuk, Seonggan, Sijung, Eoroe, Oegwi, Yongrim, Iseo, Ipgwan, Jeoncheon, Jongnam, Jongseo, Hwagyeong * Jaseong () ** 6 ''myeon'' : Jaseong, Sampung, Ipyeong, Jaha, Jangto, Junggang * Huchang () ** 5 ''myeon'' : Huchang, Namsin, Dongheung, Dongsin, Chilpyeong

List of historic governors

#Baek Yeong-eop (; 1949–1970) #Lee Ha-young (, 1970–1979) #Lee Seok-bong (; 1979 – May 1988) #Ahn Chi-soon (; May – December 1988) #Kim Sa-seong (; 1989 – March 1992) #Jang Jung-ryol (; 1992–1998) #Shim Gi-cheol (; 1998–2000) #Paik Hyong-rin (; 2000–2003) # (; 2003–2007) #Paik Do-woong (; 2007–2009) #Paik Young-chul (; 2009–2012) #Paik Gu-seop (;(2012–2016) #Kim Young-chol (; 2016–2019) #Oh Yeong-chan (; 2019 – July 2022) #Yi Se-oong (이세웅; July 2022 – present)

South Pyeongan

South Pyeongan Province or ''Pyeongannam-do'' () corresponds to North Korea's

South Pyongan Province South Pyongan Province (; ) is a province of North Korea. The province was formed in 1896 from the southern half of the former Pyongan Province, remained a province of Korea until 1945, then became a province of North Korea. Its capital is Pyo ...

, Pyongyang Directly Governed City and Nampo Special City. Pyeongannam-do is divided into 2 cities (si) and 14 counties (gun): Cities: * Pyeongyang () ** 91 '' dong'' * Jinnampo () ** 11 '' dong'' Counties: * Daedong () ''(administrative center at Pyongyang)'' ** 14 '' myeon'' : Gopyeong, Yongsan, Gimje, Daebo, Namhyeongjesan, Jaegyeongri, Yongak, Busan, Sijok, Imwon, Cheongryong, Yulri, Yongyeon, Namgot * Junghwa () ** 11 ''myeon'' : Junghwa, Gandong, Dangjeong, Dongdu, Sangwon, Susan, Sinheung, Yangjeong, Cheongok, Pungdong, Haeap * Gangseo () ** 14 ''myeon'' : Gangseo, Dongjin, Banseok, Borim, Seongam, Seongtae, Susan, Sinjeong, Ssangryong, Ingcha, Jeokseong, Jeungsan, Chori, Hamjong * Gangdong () ** 1 '' eup'' : Seungho ** 5 ''myeon'' : Gangdong, Gocheon, Bongjin, Samdeung, Wontan * Yonggang () ** 13 ''myeon'' : Yonggang, Gwiseong, Geumgok, Dami, Daedae, Samhwa, Seohwa, Sinnyeong, Ynaggok, Osin, Yongwol, Jiun, Haeun * Suncheon () ** 1 ''eup'' : Suncheon ** 8 ''myeon'' : Seonso, Sain, Hutan, Jasan, Naenam, Bukchang, Eunsan, Sinchang * Anju () ** 1 ''eup'' : Anju ** 7 ''myeon'' : Daeni, Dong, Sin-Anju, Yeonho, Yonghwa, Ungok, Ipseok * Pyeongwon () ** 16 ''myeon'' : Pyongwon(Yeongyu), Geomsan, Gongdeok, Noji, Deoksan, Dongsong, Dongam, Seohae, Sukcheon, Sunan, Yanghwa, Yongho, Joun, Cheongsan, Hancheon, Haeso * Gaecheon () ** 1 ''eup'' : Gaecheon ** 5 ''myeon'' : Bongdong, Buk, Joyang, Jungnam, Jungseo * Deokcheon () ** 6 ''myeon'' : Deokcheon, Seongyang, Ilha, Jamdo, Jamsang, Pungdeok * Yeongwon () ** 9 ''myeon'' : Yeongwon, Daehung, Deokhwa, Seongryong, Sobaek, Sinseong, Yeongrak, Onhwa, Taegeuk * Maengsan () ** 8 ''myeon'' : Maengsan, Dong, Bongin, Aejeon, Okcheon, Wonnam, Jideok, Hakcheon * Yangdeok () ** 1 ''eup'' : Yangdeok ** 6 ''myeon'' : Dongyang, Daeryun, Ssangryong, Ogang, Oncheon, Hwachon * Seongcheon () ** 12 ''myeon'' : Seongcheon, Guryong, Neungjung, Daegok, Daegu, Saga, Samdeok, Samheung, Sungin, Ssangryong, Yeongcheon, Tongseon

Southern provinces with territory in North Korea

Two South Korean provinces, Gyeonggi and Gangwon, officially have parts of their territory in North Korea. The South Korean government considers the governors of these two provinces the head of their entire province, including the parts in the North. * Gyeonggi Province – Gaeseong, Gaepung County & Jangdan County claimed * Gangwon Province – from Kangwon province – Gimhwa County, Icheon County, Tongcheon County, Pyeonggang County and Hoeyang County claimed

Symbols

File:Five Provinces of the North (nameplates).jpg, Nameplates for governments of the five northern Korean provinces at the entrance Former flag of the Committee of the Five Provinces of North Korea.svg, Flag of the Committee for the Five Northern Korean Provinces (1949–2016) Former emblem of the Committee for the Five Northern Korean Provinces.svg, Emblem of the Committee for the Five Northern Korean Provinces (1949–2016) Flag of North Pyeongan Province (ROK, 1949–2019).svg, Former flag of North Pyeongan Province (1949–2019)

References

Notes

External links

Official website of the Committee for the Five Northern Korean Provinces

Hwanghae province residents central council
{{authority control

North North is one of the four compass points or cardinal directions. It is the opposite of south and is perpendicular to east and west. ''North'' is a noun, adjective, or adverb indicating Direction (geometry), direction or geography. Etymology T ...

Korean irredentism Governments in exile

Korea 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 Division of Korea, divided at or near the 38th parallel north, 3 ...

States and territories established in 1949 1949 establishments in South Korea