South Jeolla Province (Korean: 전라남도), name sometimes rendered as Jeollanam-do, was a province in the Honam region, South Korea, and the southernmost province in mainland Korea. It was made defunct on July 1, 2026. Its former territory has been combined with the former city of Gwangju into a new "special metropolitan city" called Jeonnam-Gwangju.
South Jeolla bordered the provinces of North Jeolla to the north, South Gyeongsang to the northeast, and Jeju to the southwest in the Korea Strait.
Suncheon was the largest city in the province, closely followed by Yeosu. Other major cities include Mokpo, Gwangyang and Naju.
Jeolla-do, including both North and South Jeolla, was the first province out of the Eight Provinces system to have its 1000th year anniversary in 2018, as the name 'Jeolla-do' was established in 1018, during Hyeonjong of Goryeo's 9th year in power.
Contents
History
Proto Three Kingdoms period
During the Samhan period, South Jeolla belonged to Mahan (마한; 馬韓)
Three Kingdoms period
In the Three Kingdoms period, it belonged to Gujihakseong (구지하성; 久知下城) of the southern five regions of Baekje (백제; 百濟), with Mujinju (무진주; 武珍州) as its center.
Unified Silla, North and South period
During the Unified Silla period, with the establishment of nine provinces and five subordinate regions, the area remained under Mujinju. In the 16th year of King Gyeongdeok's reign (757), Mujinju was renamed to Muju (무주; 武州) and came to oversee 15 counties (군; 郡) and 43 prefectures (군; 縣).
Goryeo dynasty
In the 2nd year of King Seongjong of Goryeo (983), when the national administrative divisions were reorganized into twelve mok (목), Naju-mok and Seungju-mok were established. In the 14th year of King Seongjong's reign (995), with the implementation of the province (도) system, the nation was divided into ten provinces(도), and the region was called Haeyangdo (해향도; 海陽道). In the 9th year of King Hyeonjong's reign, Haeyangdo was merged with Gangnamdo, and the name Jeollado (全羅道) was officially adopted.
Joseon dynasty
During the Joseon Dynasty, the country was divided into eight provinces, and names such as Gwangnamdo (光南道), Jeongwangdo (全光道), and Jeonnamdo (全南道) were occasionally used. However, the name Jeollado was predominantly maintained.
On May 26, 1895 (the 32nd year of King Gojong's reign), with the implementation of the 23-bu system, Jeollado was subdivided into Jeonju-bu (全州府), Namwon-bu (南原府), Naju-bu (羅州府), and Jeju-bu (濟州府). Currently, seven cities and counties, including Suncheon and Damyang, belong to Namwon-bu, and Yeonggwang and Jangseong is part of Jeonju-bu, and the remaining sixteen cities and counties belong to Naju-bu.
On August 4, 1896 (the 33rd year of King Gojong's reign), Decree No. 36 abolished the 23-bu system. During the reorganization process, the existing eight provinces were divided into thirteen provinces by splitting five provinces (Jeollado, Chungcheongdo, Gyeongsangdo, etc.) into northern and southern regions. As a result, Jeollado was split into north and south, with the southern part being renamed Jeollanam-do (전라남도),or South Jeolla Province, as it is known today, encompassing 1 moks(목/牧) and 32 counties (군/gun).
Geography
The province is part of the Honam region, and is bounded on the west by the Yellow Sea, on the north by Jeollabuk-do Province, on the south by Jeju Strait, and on the east by Gyeongsangnam-do.
There are almost 2,000 islands along the coastline, about three quarters of which are uninhabited. The coastline is about 6,100 kilometres (3,800 mi) long. Some of the marine products, in particular oyster and seaweed cultivation, are leading in South Korea.
The province is only partially mountainous. The plains along the rivers Seomjin, Yeongsan and Tamjin are suitable for large-scale grain agriculture. There is abundant rainfall in the area, which helps agriculture. The province is also home to the warmest weather on the peninsula. This helps to produce large amounts of agricultural produce, mainly rice, wheat, barley, pulses and potatoes. Vegetables, cotton and fruits are also grown in the province.
Environment
A small amount of gold and coal is mined in the province, but industries have also been developed in the area. The amount of harmful heavy metals in the province is one-thirtieth of the environmental standard requirement, boasting clean air.
Demographics
Source: SOUTH KOREA: South Jeolla Province – Further information about the population structure(CITY POPULATION)
Administrative divisions
South Jeolla Province was divided into 5 cities (si) and 17 counties (gun). Listed below is the name of each entity in English, hangul, and hanja.
Sister cities and provinces
State of Arizona, United States
State of Maryland, United States
Gyeongsan, South Korea
Ipswich, Queensland, Australia
Bà Rịa–Vũng Tàu province, Vietnam
Bình Phước province, Vietnam
State of Oregon, United States
Sichuan Province, China
Alcochete, Portugal
Religion
According to the census of 2005, of the people of South Jeolla 30.5% followed Christianity (21.8% Protestantism and 8.7% Catholicism) and 16.1% followed Buddhism. 53.4% of the population was mostly not religious or followed Muism and other indigenous religions.
Education
National universities with graduate schools
Chonnam National University - Yeosu Campus
Mokpo National Maritime University – Mokpo
Mokpo National University - Mokpo/Muan County/Yeongam County
Sunchon National University – Suncheon
Private universities with graduate schools
Dongshin University – Naju
Gwangju Catholic University – Naju
Mokpo Catholic University – Mokpo
Sehan University - Yeongam County Campus
Youngsan Won Buddhist University – Yeonggwang County
Chodang University – Muan County
Hanlyo University – Gwangyang
Public institutes of higher education
Jeonnam Provincial College – Damyang County/Jangheung County
Private institutes of higher education
Chunnam Techno University – Gokseong County
Dong-A College – Yeongam County
Hanyeong College – Yeosu
Koguryeo College - Naju
Kwangyang Health College – Gwangyang
Mokpo Science University – Mokpo
Suncheon First College – Suncheon
Suncheon Cheongam College – Suncheon
Governor
31st: Heo Kyung-man (July 1, 1995 – July 1, 1998) – 1st term
32nd: Heo Kyung-man (July 1, 1998 – July 1, 2002) – 2nd term
33rd: Park Tae-young (July 1, 2002 – April 29, 2004) – 1st term
34th: Park Jun-young (June 6, 2004 – July 1, 2006) – 1st term
35th: Park Jun-young (July 1, 2006 – July 1, 2010) – 2nd term
36th: Park Jun-young (July 1, 2010 – July 1, 2014) – 3rd term
37th: Lee Nak-yeon (July 1, 2014 – May 12, 2018)
38th: Kim Yung-rok (July 1, 2018 – June 30, 2026)
Economy
Gwangyang Steel Mill, one of the world's largest single steel producer with an annual capacity of 21 million tons, was located in the city of Gwangyang. In addition, Yeosu National Industrial Complex, the nation's largest petrochemical industrial complex, was located in Yeosu City.
In February 2025, South Korea announced plans for a $35 billion data center for artificial intelligence applications with a 3GW capacity to be built in the South Jeolla. An agreement was made to ensure the data center has access to energy, water, and other essential resources.
Transportation
Rail
KTX Honam Line: Seoul station to GwangjuSongjeong station
KTX Honam Line: Seoul station to Mokpo station
Roads
Expressway No.10
Expressway No.15
Airports
Muan International Airport
Yeosu Airport
Gwangju Airport
Tourism
Yeosu – Jinnamgwan Hall, Hyangiram, Yi Sun Shin Square
Suncheon – Songgwangsa Temple, Seonamsa Temple, Nagan Eupseong Folk Village
Mokpo – Mokpo Modern History Museum, Gatbawi Rock, Yudal Mountain
Haenam – Ttanggut (End of the Land) Village, Mihwangsa Temple
Gurye – Hwaeomsa Temple
Damyang – Damyang Juknokwon, Metasequoia-lined Road, Soswaewon Garden
Boseong – Boseong Green Tea Field Daehan Dawon
Dochodo – Seonggaksa