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Largest Cities in South Korea

Top 100 cities ranked by largest cities

Largest Cities Smallest Cities Most Dense Least Dense Highest Income Lowest Income Lowest Unemployment Highest Unemployment Lowest Poverty Highest Poverty Highest Rent Lowest Rent Most Educated Youngest Cities Oldest Cities Safest Cities Highest Crime Warmest Cities Coldest Cities Rainiest Cities Driest Cities
All Countries  ·  South Korea

Largest Cities — South Korea

1 Seoul 11 10,349,312
2 Busan 10 3,343,903
3 Incheon 12 3,039,450
4 Daegu 15 2,365,523
5 Daejeon 19 1,470,336
6 Gwangju 18 1,398,538
7 Suwon 13 1,191,063
8 Ulsan 21 1,095,014
9 Goyang-si 13 1,061,752
10 Changwon 20 1,025,702
11 Seongnam-si 13 914,832
12 Cheongju-si 05 853,938
13 Bucheon-si 13 850,731
14 Cheonan 17 658,831
15 Hwaseong-si 13 640,890
16 Jeonju 03 629,618
17 Ansan-si 13 623,256
18 Anyang-si 13 595,644
19 Kimhae 20 531,966
20 Pohang 14 492,041
21 Jeju City 01 488,844
22 Uijeongbu-si 13 479,141
23 Masan 18 434,371
24 Gumi 14 404,691
25 Sejong 22 394,630
26 Pyeongtaek 13 364,694
27 Yangsan 20 358,074
28 Gwangmyeong 13 357,545
29 Wŏnju 06 332,849
30 Chinju 20 307,242
31 Iksan 03 307,000
32 Gunpo 13 286,485
33 Chuncheon 06 286,124
34 Suncheon 16 276,375
35 Yeosu 16 268,823
36 Mokpo 16 268,402
37 Gyeongsan-si 14 266,951
38 Gunsan 03 264,656
39 Hanam 13 254,415
40 Gyeongju 14 245,365
41 Osan 13 238,788
42 Geoje 20 232,921
43 Chungju 05 209,483
44 Gangneung 06 208,161
45 Icheon-si 13 196,230
46 Guri-si 13 195,236
47 Yangju 13 179,923
48 Seogwipo 01 178,552
49 Gijang 10 176,388
50 Gwangyang 16 154,266
51 Andong 14 153,348
52 Gimcheon 14 150,000
53 Jeongeup 03 139,876
54 Siheungdong 11 128,142
55 Yeoju 13 111,897
56 Hwado 13 106,358
57 Sangju 14 101,267
58 Donghae City 06 101,128
59 Asan 17 97,749
60 Wabu 13 96,775
61 Boryeong 17 94,191
62 Muan 16 92,009
63 Namyangju 13 90,798
64 Kwangyang 16 89,281
65 Hongseong 17 89,174
66 Yeongju 14 84,625
67 Wanju 03 84,009
68 Yangp'yŏng 13 83,367
69 Ungsang 20 83,360
70 Sinhyeon 20 82,560
71 Gwangju 13 81,780
72 Nangen 03 81,257
73 Sokcho 06 81,164
74 Naesŏ 20 80,987
75 Mungyeong 14 77,304
76 Hongch’ŏn 06 75,251
77 Changnyeong 20 74,668
78 Seosan 17 74,208
79 Koch'ang 03 72,996
80 Gongju 17 72,435
81 Kyosai 20 72,124
82 Tongyeong 20 70,641
83 Anseong 13 69,255
84 Hwawŏn 15 64,718
85 Uiwang 13 63,040
86 Pubal 13 63,026
87 Kosong 06 62,446
88 Chinch'ŏn 05 60,964
89 Hwasun 16 59,914
90 Buyeo 17 59,823
91 Okcheon 05 56,634
92 Eisen 14 56,006
93 Gapyeong 13 55,415
94 Tallang-dong 01 54,954
95 Yecheon 14 54,873
96 Sinan 16 53,150
97 Miryang 20 53,103
98 Yeonggwang 16 51,688
99 Yeongam 16 51,573
100 T’aebaek 06 48,962

The largest cities in South Korea represent major centers of economic activity, cultural influence, and population growth. Seoul leads with a population of 10,349,312, followed by Busan and Incheon. These cities serve as hubs for employment, education, and innovation, attracting residents from across the country and around the world.

Population size is a key indicator of a city's economic influence and infrastructure capacity. Larger cities typically offer more diverse job markets, extensive public transit systems, and a wider range of cultural amenities. 13 dominates the top 10 with 2 cities on the list, reflecting the state's strong economic pull and quality of life.

While large populations bring economic advantages, they also present challenges including higher costs of living, traffic congestion, and housing affordability concerns. Many of these cities have experienced significant growth over the past decade, driven by job opportunities in technology, healthcare, and professional services.

Did You Know?

  • 1. Seoul's population is larger than that of more than 30 U.S. states.
  • 2. 13 has 2 cities in the top 10, more than any other state.
  • 3. The 50th largest city still has a population of 154,266 — larger than most cities worldwide.
  • 4. The top 5 cities combined have a population of 20,568,524.

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South Korea — By Region

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