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).
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.
Here is a List of cities in North Korea
| City | Chosŏn’gŭl | Hancha | Province | Population (2008) | Founded |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anju | 안주시 | 安州市 | South Pyongan | 240,117 | 1987-08- |
| Chongjin | 청진시 | 淸津市 | North Hamgyong | 667,929 | 1985- - |
| Chongju | 정주시 | 定州市 | North Pyongan | 189,742 | 1994- - |
| Haeju | 해주시 | 海州市 | South Hwanghae | 273,300 | 1945-09-02 |
| Hamhung | 함흥시 | 咸興市 | South Hamgyong | 768,551 | 1967- - |
| Hoeryong | 회령시 | 會寧市 | North Hamgyong | 153,532 | 1991-07-08 |
| Huichon | 희천시 | 熙川市 | Chagang | 168,180 | 1967- - |
| Hyesan | 혜산시 | 惠山市 | Ryanggang | 192,680 | 1954-10- |
| Kaechon | 개천시 | 价川市 | South Pyongan | 319,554 | 1990-08- |
| Kaesong | 개성특별시 | 開城特別市 | none | 308,440 | 2019-02-28 |
| Kanggye | 강계시 | 江界市 | Chagang | 251,971 | 1949-01- |
| Kimchaek | 김책시 | 金策市 | North Hamgyong | 207,299 | 1953- - |
| Kusong | 구성시 | 龜城市 | North Pyongan | 196,515 | 1967-10- |
| Manpo | 만포시 | 滿浦市 | Chagang | 116,760 | 1961-10- |
| Munchon | 문천시 | 文川市 | Kangwon | 122,934 | 1991-05- |
| Nampo | 남포특별시 | 南浦特別市 | none | 366,341 | 2011-02-15 |
| Pyongsong | 평성시 | 平城市 | South Pyongan | 284,386 | 1969- - |
| Pyongyang | 평양직할시 | 平壤直轄市 | none | 3,255,288 | 1946-09- |
| Rason | 라선특별시 | 羅先特別市 | none | 196,954 | 2010-01-05 |
| Sariwon | 사리원시 | 沙里院市 | North Hwanghae | 307,764 | 1947- - |
| Samjiyon | 삼지연시 | 三池淵市 | Ryanggang | 31,471 | 2019-12-10 |
| Sinpo | 신포시 | 新浦市 | South Hamgyong | 152,759 | 1960- - |
| Sinuiju | 신의주시 | 新義州市 | North Pyongan | 359,341 | 1947- - |
| Songrim | 송림시 | 松林市 | North Hwanghae | 128,831 | 1947- - |
| Sunchon | 순천시 | 順川市 | South Pyongan | 297,317 | 1983-10- |
| Tokchon | 덕천시 | 德川市 | South Pyongan | 237,133 | 1986-06- |
| Tanchon | 단천시 | 端川市 | South Hamgyong | 345,876 | 1983- - |
| Wonsan | 원산시 | 元山市 | 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.)
