# South Jeolla Province

South Jeolla Province (Korean: 전라남도; RR: Jeollanam-do), formerly South Chŏlla Province, also known as Jeonnam (전남), is a province in the Honam region, South Korea, and the southernmost province in mainland Korea. South Jeolla borders the provinces of North Jeolla to the north, South Gyeongsang to the northeast, and Jeju to the southwest in the Korea Strait.
Suncheon is 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.

## 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)
* Not religious (50%)
* Buddhism (11%)
* Protestantism (25%)
* Catholicism (11%)
* Others (3%)

## Administrative divisions

Jeollanam-do is divided into 5 cities (si) and 17 counties (gun). Listed below is the name of each entity in English, hangul, and hanja.
| Name | Hangul | Hanja | Population (2024) | Area (km$^2$) | Population density 2021 (per km$^2$) | Subdivisions |
| Yeosu | 여수시 | 麗水市 | 268,823 | 510.08 km2 | 526.75/km$^2$ | 1 eup, 6 myeon, 20 haengjeong-dong |
| Mokpo | 목포시 | 木浦市 | 210,806 | 51.58 km2 | 4,288.06/km$^2$ | 23 haengjeong-dong |
| Suncheon | 순천시 | 順天市 | 276,375 | 907.43 km2 | 301.76/km$^2$ | 1 eup, 10 myeon, 13 haengjeong-dong |
| Gwangyang | 광양시 | 光陽市 | 154,226 | 458.89 km2 | 314.29/km$^2$ | 1 eup, 6 myeon, 5 haengjeong-dong |
| Naju | 나주시 | 羅州市 | 116,891 | 608.45 km2 | 189.23/km$^2$ | 1 eup, 12 myeon, 7 haengjeong-dong |
| Muan County | 무안군 | 務安郡 | 92,009 | 448.95 km2 | 200.68/km$^2$ | 3 eup, 6 myeon |
| Haenam County | 해남군 | 海南郡 | 63,457 | 1,013.8 km2 | 62.38/km$^2$ | 1 eup, 13 myeon |
| Goheung County | 고흥군 | 高興郡 | 60,385 | 807.23 km2 | 72.93/km$^2$ | 2 eup, 14 myeon |
| Hwasun County | 화순군 | 和順郡 | 60,886 | 786.9 km2 | 76.42/km$^2$ | 1 eup, 12 myeon |
| Yeongam County | 영암군 | 靈巖郡 | 55,998 | 604.24 km2 | 92.68/km$^2$ | 2 eup, 9 myeon |
| Yeonggwang County | 영광군 | 靈光郡 | 48,981 | 473.69 km2 | 103.40/km$^2$ | 3 eup, 8 myeon |
| Wando County | 완도군 | 莞島郡 | 47,210 | 396.13 km2 | 119.18/km$^2$ | 3 eup, 9 myeon |
| Damyang County | 담양군 | 潭陽郡 | 44,034 | 455.12 km2 | 96.75/km$^2$ | 1 eup, 11 myeon |
| Boseong County | 보성군 | 寶城郡 | 36,981 | 663.35 km2 | 55.75/km$^2$ | 2 eup, 10 myeon |
| Jangseong County | 장성군 | 長城郡 | 40,604 | 518.65 km2 | 78.29/km$^2$ | 1 eup, 10 myeon |
| Jangheung County | 장흥군 | 長興郡 | 34,268 | 618.2 km2 | 55.43/km$^2$ | 3 eup, 7 myeon |
| Gangjin County | 강진군 | 康津郡 | 31,941 | 500.28 km2 | 63.85/km$^2$ | 1 eup, 10 myeon |
| Sinan County | 신안군 | 新安郡 | 34,000 | 663.59 km2 | 51.24/km$^2$ | 2 eup, 12 myeon |
| Hampyeong County | 함평군 | 咸平郡 | 29,369 | 392.43 km2 | 74.84/km$^2$ | 1 eup, 8 myeon |
| Jindo County | 진도군 | 珍島郡 | 29,013 | 440.1 km2 | 65.92/km$^2$ | 1 eup, 6 myeon |
| Gokseong County | 곡성군 | 谷城郡 | 26,781 | 547.44 km2 | 48.92/km$^2$ | 1 eup, 10 myeon |
| Gurye County | 구례군 | 求禮郡 | 23,543 | 443.2 km2 | 53.12/km$^2$ | 1 eup, 7 myeon |

## 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
* State of Oregon, United States
* Sichuan Province, China
* Alcochete, Portugal

## Religion

* Not religious 53.4 (53.4%)
* Protestantism 21.8 (21.8%)
* Buddhism 16.1 (16.1%)
* Catholicism 8.7 (8.70%)
According to the census of 2005, of the people of South Jeolla 30.5% follow Christianity (21.8% Protestantism and 8.7% Catholicism) and 16.1% follow Buddhism. 53.4% of the population is mostly not religious or follow 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 – )

## Economy

Gwangyang Steel Mill, one of the world's largest single steel producer with an annual capacity of 21 million tons, is located in Gwangyang City. In addition, Yeosu National Industrial Complex, the nation's largest petrochemical industrial complex, is located in Yeosu City.
In February 2025, South Korea announced plans for a $35 billion Artificial Intelligence data center with a 3GW capacity to be built in the South Jeolla province. An agreement with the province will 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
* Source: Investment Attractiveness (Jeolla Namdo)

## 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
* Tourism
* Art Gallery in Yeosu
* Mokpo|Gatbawi
* Chueotang