Largest Cities in South Korea

Top 100 cities ranked by largest cities

Largest Cities - South Korea

1 Seoul 11 9,668,465
2 Busan 10 3,453,198
3 Incheon 12 3,039,450
4 Daegu 15 2,376,044
5 Daejeon 19 1,443,106
6 Gwangju 18 1,409,624
7 Suwon 13 1,234,300
8 Ulsan 21 1,095,014
9 Goyang-si 13 1,061,929
10 Changwon 20 1,009,998
11 Hwaseong-si 13 1,004,079
12 Seongnam-si 13 914,832
13 Cheongju-si 05 848,000
14 Bupyeong 12 772,450
15 Bucheon-si 13 772,450
16 Onam 13 732,086
17 Namyangju 13 732,086
18 Hwado 13 732,086
19 Ora-dong 01 698,358
20 Ido-dong 01 698,358
21 Seodong 01 698,358
22 Ara-dong 01 698,358
23 Jeju City 01 698,358
24 Tallang-dong 01 698,358
25 Cheonan 17 656,583
26 Ansan-si 13 623,256
27 Pyeongtaek 13 607,435
28 Kimhae 20 534,124
29 Ocheon 14 503,780
30 Pohang 14 503,780
31 Paju 13 497,775
32 Uijeongbu-si 13 463,324
33 Masan 18 434,371
34 Gumi 14 421,075
35 Gwangju 13 397,269
36 Sejong 22 394,630
37 Chinju 20 341,545
38 Jeonju 03 341,545
39 Wŏnju 06 330,854
40 Hanam 13 329,822
41 Gyuam 17 319,929
42 Asan 17 319,929
43 Buyeo 17 319,929
44 Gwangmyeong 13 318,021
45 Yangsan 20 297,532
46 Gwangjeok 13 285,930
47 Yangju 13 285,930
48 Dongnae 06 281,596
49 Chuncheon 06 281,596
50 Gunsan 03 275,155
51 Sora 16 273,761
52 Hwayang 16 273,761
53 Yeosu 16 273,761
54 Iksan 03 270,758
55 Uiwang 13 270,443
56 Gunpo 13 270,443
57 Suncheon 16 265,390
58 Gyeongsan-si 14 264,754
59 Gyeongju 14 248,244
60 Anyang-si 13 233,172
61 Geoje 20 232,921
62 Kyosai 20 231,353
63 Osan 13 229,792
64 Mokpo 16 214,701
65 Pubal 13 209,003
66 Icheon-si 13 209,003
67 Chungju 05 207,839
68 Gangneung 06 206,780
69 Anseong 13 193,220
70 Seogwipo 01 183,858
71 Guri-si 13 180,063
72 Gijang 10 176,388
73 Seosan 17 169,221
74 Tangjin 17 163,762
75 Andong 14 153,131
76 Gwangyang 16 152,160
77 Gimcheon 14 135,076
78 Siheungdong 11 128,142
79 Tongyeong 20 116,924
80 Nonsan 17 115,925
81 Yeoju 13 114,167
82 Jeongeup 03 110,194
83 Yeongju 14 109,266
84 Gongju 17 102,960
85 Sangju 14 102,892
86 Boryeong 17 101,852
87 Donghae City 06 101,128
88 Miryang 20 99,425
89 Wabu 13 96,775
90 Eisen 14 95,730
91 Naju 16 92,582
92 Muan 16 92,009
93 Kwangyang 16 89,281
94 Hongseong 17 89,174
95 Wanju 03 84,009
96 Yangp'yŏng 13 83,367
97 Ungsang 20 83,360
98 Sinhyeon 20 82,560
99 Kimje 03 81,644
100 Naesŏ 20 80,987

The largest cities in South Korea represent major centers of economic activity, cultural influence, and population growth. Seoul leads with a population of 9,668,465, 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 275,155 - larger than most cities worldwide.
  • 4. The top 5 cities combined have a population of 19,980,263.

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