The Committee for the Five Northern Korean Provinces (; "The North's Five Provinces Committee") is a South Korean government body which is de jure responsible for governing the provinces controlled by North Korea, and de facto responsible for providing support to North Korean defectors living in South Korea.
History The committee was established in 1949, when President Syngman Rhee appointed governors to the five northern provinces, highlighting the need of functioning local governments ready to step in in case of Korean reunification. The body is placed under the Ministry of the Interior and Safety.
The South Korean government formally claims to be the sole legitimate government of the entirety of the Korean Peninsula. 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.
Role The committee operates as a government-in-exile officially responsible for the administration of the five Korean provinces located entirely north of the 38th Parallel, also known as the Military Demarcation Line. The President of South Korea appoints governors for each of the five provinces. The district and counties of the provinces have advisory committees and appointed township officials. The governors office coordinates with advisers and committee members tasked with writing policy plans for education, public health, religious freedom and local governance in these provinces.
However, their role is largely symbolic (comparable to titular bishops), as the territory is under the effective jurisdiction of North Korea. The committee's main practical function is to provide support to North Korean defectors living in South Korea, including organizing resettlements and social events.
Despite its name, the committee plays no part in North Korea–South Korea relations; 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 (; ) corresponds to North Korea's North Hamgyong Province, Rason Special City and part of Ryanggang Province.
North Hamgyeong 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 (; ) 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 de jure claimed by Taiwan).
South Hamgyeong is divided into 3 cities (si) and 16 counties (gun):
Cities: Hamheung () 78 dong Heungnam () 75 dong Wonsan () 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 (; ) corresponds to North Korea's North Hwanghae Province (except Kaesong which is claimed to be part of Gyeonggi Province) and South Hwanghae Province.
Hwanghae is divided into 3 cities (si) and 17 counties (gun):
Cities: Haeju () 21 dong Sariwon () 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 (; ) corresponds to North Korea's North Pyongan Province, almost all of Chagang Province and a small part of Ryanggang Province.
North Pyeongan 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 (; ) corresponds to North Korea's South Pyongan Province, Pyongyang Directly Governed City and Nampo Special City.
South Pyeongan 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