South Hamgyong is a province

Administrative divisions of North Korea

The administrative divisions of North Korea are organized into three hierarchical levels. Many of the units have equivalents in the system of South Korea. At the highest level are nine provinces, two directly governed cities, and three special administrative divisions. The second-level divisions...

 of North Korea

North Korea

The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea , , is a country in East Asia, occupying the northern half of the Korean Peninsula. Its capital and largest city is Pyongyang. The Korean Demilitarized Zone serves as the buffer zone between North Korea and South Korea...

. The province was formed in 1896 from the southern half of the former Hamgyŏng

Hamgyong

Hamgyŏng was one of the Eight Provinces of Korea during the Joseon Dynasty. Hamgyŏng was located in the northeast of Korea. The provincial capital was Hamhŭng.-History:...

 Province, remained a province of Korea

Korea

Korea ) is an East Asian geographic region that is currently divided into two separate sovereign states — North Korea and South Korea. Located on the Korean Peninsula, Korea is bordered by the People's Republic of China to the northwest, Russia to the northeast, and is separated from Japan to the...

 until 1945, then became a province of North Korea. Its capital is Hamhung

Hamhung

Hamhŭng is North Korea's second largest city, and the capital of South Hamgyŏng Province. In late 2005, nearby Hŭngnam was made a ward within Hamhŭng-si. It has a population of 768,551 as of 2008.-Geography:...

.

Geography

The province is bordered by Ryanggang to the north, North Hamgyong to the northeast, Kangwon to the south, and South Pyongan to the west. On the east of the province is the Sea of Japan

Sea of Japan

The Sea of Japan is a marginal sea of the western Pacific Ocean, between the Asian mainland, the Japanese archipelago and Sakhalin. It is bordered by Japan, North Korea, Russia and South Korea. Like the Mediterranean Sea, it has almost no tides due to its nearly complete enclosure from the Pacific...

 (East Sea of Korea

Sea of Japan naming dispute

The international name for the body of water which is bordered by Japan, North Korea, Russia, and South Korea is disputed. The Japanese government supports the use of the name "Sea of Japan", while South Korea supports the name "East Sea", and North Korea supports the name "East Sea of Korea"...

).
Hamgyong is also home to Yodok prison camp.

Administrative divisions

South Hamgyong is divided into 3 cities ("si"), 2 districts (1 "gu" and 1 "chigu"), and 15 counties ("gun"). These are further divided into villages (ri

Ri (administrative division)

A Ri is an administrative unit in both North Korea and South Korea similar to the unit of Village....

and dong

Dong (administrative division)

A dong is the lowest administrative unit of districts and of those cities which are not divided into wards throughout Korea...

, with dong also denoting neighborhoods in cities), with each county additionally having one town (up

Eup (administrative division)

An eup or ŭp is an administrative unit in both North Korea and South Korea similar to the unit of town.-In South Korea:Along with "myeon", an "eup" is one of the divisions of a county , and of some cities with a population of less than 500,000...

) which acts as its administrative center. These are detailed on each county’s individual page. Some cities are also divided into wards known as "guyok", which are administered just below the city level and also listed on the individual page.

Cities

• Hamhung
  Hamhung
  Hamhŭng is North Korea's second largest city, and the capital of South Hamgyŏng Province. In late 2005, nearby Hŭngnam was made a ward within Hamhŭng-si. It has a population of 768,551 as of 2008.-Geography:...
  
   (capital)
  함흥시/
• Sinpo
  Sinpo
  Sinpo is a port city on the coast of the Sea of Japan in central South Hamgyong province, North Korea. According to the last available census, approximately 158,000 people reside here.-Weather:...
  
   
  신포시/
• Tanchon
  Tanchon
  Tanchon or Tanch'ŏn is a city in northeastern South Hamgyong province, North Korea. It has a population of approximately 360,000. Tanchon borders the Sea of Japan , into which the Namdae River flows.-Economy:Mining...
  
   
  단천시/

Districts

• Sudong
  Sudong
  Sudong-ku is a county in South Hamgyong province, North Korea. It was formed from part of Kowon County in December 1990. Sudong is the site of a major coal seam first discovered in 1918. The Pyongra Line railroad passes through the district.-See also:...
  
  -gu
  수동구/
• Kumho
  Kumho (South Hamgyong)
  Kumho is a chigu, or area, in South Hamgyong province, near the city of Sinpo, North Korea. Kumho was part of Sinpo until 1995, when it was made a special area under the direct administration of the province...
  
  -chigu
  금호지구/

Counties

Changjin Changjin Changjin is a mountainous county in South Hamgyong province, North Korea.Changjin lies on the Rangrim and Pujonryong ranges, and most of the county sits atop the Kaema Plateau. Due to this location, Changjin has a particularly cold climate. The highest point is Ryonhwasan . The chief stream is...  County 장진군/ Chongpyong Chongpyong Chongpyong is a county in South Hamgyong province, North Korea. It borders South Pyongan province to the south, and the East Korea Bay to the east.-Physical features:...  County 정평군/ Hamju Hamju -Physical features:The county's highest point is Norabong. The chief river is the Sangchon River . Aside from the coastal area, Hamju is mountainous throughout. It is cold, but is distinguished by the occurrence of foehn winds in the upland areas...  County 함주군/ Hochon Hochon Hochon is a county in South Hamgyong province, North Korea. It was created after the division of Korea, from portions of Tanchon and Pungsan.Most of the county is steep and mountainous, and particularly so in the southeast. There are numerous high peas...  County 허천군/

Hongwon Hongwon Hongwon is a county in South Hamgyong province, North Korea. It is flanked by the Sea of Japan to the south, and by the Hamgyong Mountains to the north.-Physical features:...  County 홍원군/ Kowon Kowon Kowon is a county in South Hamgyong province, North Korea. It lies at the southern tip of the province.-Physical features:The highest point is Palbongsan. The western reaches of the county are high and mountainous, while the east is a low-lying plain. Major rivers and streams include the Chontan...  County 고원군/ Kumya Kumya Kumya is a county in South Hamgyong province, North Korea. It borders the Sea of Japan to the east.-Physical features:To the west, there are high mountains but the eastern portion of the county is flat. The highest peak is Chongamsan . The chief river is the Ryonghung. Several islands are...  County 금야군 Pujon Pujon Pujŏn is a city in northern South Hamgyong province, North Korea.In historical contexts, Pujŏn is sometimes known as Fusen, according to its Japanese pronunciation.-External links:...  County 부전군/

Pukchong Pukchong Pukchong is a county in eastern South Hamgyong province, North Korea. It borders the Sea of Japan to the south. Away from the coast, it is entirely mountainous. The Hamgyong Mountains traverse the county. The highest point is Komdoksan. Chief streams include the Namdaechon and Pochonchon...  County 북청군 Ragwon Ragwon Ragwon is a county in South Hamgyong province, North Korea. It borders the Sea of Japan to the south and east. Most of the county is mountainous. The highest point is Chonchubong . The coastal area includes the islands such as Chonchodo and Chintudo . Forestland occupies about 75% of the...  County 락원군/ Riwon Riwon Riwon is a county in South Hamgyong province, North Korea. It is located at the province's northeastern tip, and borders the Sea of Japan to the southeast.-Physical features:...  County 리원군/ Sinhung Sinhung Sinhung is a mountainous county in South Hamgyong province, North Korea. It is traversed by the Hamgyong and Palbong ranges. The highest point is Chailbong. There are also lowland plains, where the temperatures are quite different from the mountains. The chief streams are the Sangchon and Pujon...  County 신흥군/

Toksong Toksong Toksong is a county in South Hamgyong province, North Korea. It is largely mountainous, but the southern area is low-lying. The Pujonryong, Taedok, and Kodubong ranges pass through the county. The highest point is Huisabong. Major streams include the Kosochon , Konpachon , and Tongpalryongchon...  County 덕성군/ Yonggwang Yonggwang Yonggwang is a county in South Hamgyong province, North Korea. It was originally part of Hamju County, from which it was separated in a general reorganization of local government in 1952. It is the site of one of the steles erected by Jinheung of Silla in the 6th century.The county is primarily...  County 영광군 Yodok Yodok Yodok is a county in South Hamgyong province, North Korea. Originally part of Yonghung County, it became a separate entity as part of the 1952 reorganization of local government.-Physical features:... County 요덕군