The Heart of Korea’s Population, Economy & Innovation
Gyeonggi-do (경기도) is South Korea’s largest province by population and the central economic powerhouse surrounding Seoul. Home to high-tech industrial cities, cultural heritage sites, and Korea’s most advanced smart city projects, Gyeonggi-do acts as the bridge between Seoul and the rest of the country.
🏛️ Formation & Historical Background
Gyeonggi-do has been the region around the capital since ancient times. Its name literally means “the area surrounding the capital”.
Key Historical Timeline
| Period | Major Event |
|---|---|
| 18 BCE | Region part of Baekje Kingdom |
| 918–1392 | Core territory of Goryeo Dynasty |
| 1392–1910 | Joseon Dynasty strengthens Gyeonggi as capital region |
| 1896 | Modern provincial system established |
| 1960s–1990s | Rapid industrialization & population explosion |
| 2000s | Birth of satellite cities: Seongnam, Suwon, Goyang, Yongin |
| 2020s | Korea’s center of smart cities, robotics & semiconductor clusters |
Gyeonggi-do’s history reflects Korea’s political center and economic engine.
🧭 Basic Provincial Information
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Official Name | Gyeonggi-do (Province of Gyeonggi) |
| Korean Name | 경기도 |
| Capital City | Suwon |
| Largest Urban Centers | Suwon, Seongnam, Goyang, Yongin, Bucheon |
| Area | ~10,184 sq km |
| Population (2025 est.) | ~14 million (largest in Korea) |
| Climate | Temperate with 4 seasons |
| Time Zone | UTC +9 (KST) |
| Dial Code | +82 31 |
| Top-Level Domain | .gg.go.kr |
| Provincial Motto | “Peace, Prosperity and Future Growth” |
⚖️ Government & Leadership
| Position | Current Officeholder (2025) |
|---|---|
| Governor | Kim Dong-yeon |
| Provincial Council | Gyeonggi Provincial Assembly |
| Administrative Divisions | 28 Cities (Si), 3 Counties (Gun) |
Gyeonggi-do governs the largest regional population in South Korea with strong policies in smart economy, digital governance, and renewable energy.
🗺️ Administrative Structure
Gyeonggi-do has 31 total divisions:
28 Cities (시, Si)
3 Counties (군, Gun)
This is important because these will link to your website’s next-level pages.
🏙️ List of Cities (Si) — 28 Total
| City | Notes |
|---|---|
| Suwon | Provincial capital, Hwaseong Fortress (UNESCO) |
| Seongnam | Pangyo Techno Valley – Korea’s Silicon Valley |
| Goyang | KINTEX exhibition center |
| Yongin | Everland, KT Wiz baseball |
| Bucheon | Cultural and film city |
| Ansan | Multicultural industrial hub |
| Anyang | IT and tech industries |
| Namyangju | Riverside residential zone |
| Uijeongbu | U.S. military and logistics |
| Pyeongtaek | Samsung Semiconductor Mega Campus |
| Hwaseong | Automotive and aerospace clusters |
| Gimpo | Airport connectivity |
| Gwangmyeong | Home to Korea’s IKEA Mega Store |
| Osan | Air force base city |
| Guri | Han River cultural city |
| Hanam | High-end residential district |
| Gunpo | Transit hub |
| Uiwang | Railroad logistic center |
| Siheung | Smart city development |
| Anseong | Traditional culture hub |
| Paju | DMZ, book publishing hub |
| Yeoju | Porcelain capital |
| Icheon | Ceramic heritage city |
| Pocheon | Mountain tourism |
| Gwangju | Nature and hiking zones |
| Dongducheon | Military city |
| Yangju | Developing residential corridors |
🏞️ List of Counties (Gun) — 3 Total
| County | Description |
|---|---|
| Gapyeong-gun | Nami Island, Petite France (top tourist area) |
| Yangpyeong-gun | Eco-tourism and Han River source |
| Yeoncheon-gun | DMZ border, natural reserves |
This administrative structure is essential for linking internal pages of your AFP Knowledge Hub.
🌐 Geography & Environment
Borders: Seoul, Incheon & North Korea
Major Rivers: Han River, Imjin River
Terrain: Mountains (Bukhansan, Gwanggyosan), plains, and river valleys
Climate: Cold winters, warm summers
Environmental Zones: National parks, DMZ eco-preserve, forest trails
Gyeonggi-do has Korea’s largest nature-residential balance.
🧩 Development Focus & Innovation
Gyeonggi-do leads Korea in:
Semiconductor manufacturing (Samsung Pyeongtaek Campus)
Pangyo Techno Valley – robotics, AI, startups
Smart mobility & eco-transport
Green renewable energy projects
4th Industrial Revolution R&D
It is the economic backbone of South Korea.
🛡️ Law Enforcement & Safety
| Department | Role |
|---|---|
| Gyeonggi Provincial Police Agency | Region-wide security |
| Fire & Disaster HQ | Disaster response & industrial safety |
| Smart Surveillance Centers | AI-based traffic & safety control |
🕊️ Religion, Language & Culture
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Major Religions | Buddhism, Christianity, Confucian heritage |
| Language | Standard Korean |
| Culture | Mix of urban innovation & historic traditions |
| Festivals | Suwon Hwaseong Festival, Bucheon Film Festival |
Gyeonggi-do blends modern Korea with deep heritage.
📈 Economy & Key Sectors
| Sector | Details |
|---|---|
| GDP (2025 est.) | Over $350 billion USD |
| Top Industries | Semiconductors, IT, robotics, automobiles, logistics |
| Key Industrial Zones | Pyeongtaek, Hwaseong, Pangyo, Ansan |
| Exports | Chips, cars, electronics |
Gyeonggi-do is responsible for a massive share of Korea’s exports.
🎓 Education & Healthcare
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Major Universities | Ajou University, Kyonggi University, Hankuk University of Foreign Studies |
| Specialty | Tech, engineering, business |
| Top Hospitals | Ajou University Hospital, Seoul National Univ. Bundang Hospital |
✈️ Transport & Infrastructure
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Rail | KTX, ITX, Subway lines extending from Seoul |
| Highways | Gyeongbu, Seohaean, Jungbu Expressways |
| Air Access | Seoul Gimpo Airport, close to Incheon Airport |
| Smart Mobility | Autonomous shuttles, smart intersections |
Connectivity is Gyeonggi-do’s biggest strategic strength.
🏞️ Tourism & Attractions
Nami Island (Gapyeong)
Petite France
Suwon Hwaseong Fortress (UNESCO)
DMZ & Panmunjom
Everland Theme Park (Yongin)
KINTEX (Goyang)
Icheon Ceramics Village
Bukhansan National Park trails
Gyeonggi-do offers Korea’s top tourism variety.
🌍 Global Role & Relations
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Sister Regions | Partnerships with major cities globally |
| Economic Role | Largest provincial economy |
| Future Agenda | Green transition, AI city models, global trade links |
📝 Summary
Gyeonggi-do is the core province of South Korea — blending population, industry, innovation, nature, and history. From the semiconductor factories of Pyeongtaek to the heritage of Suwon and the startups of Pangyo, Gyeonggi-do represents modern Korea at its finest.
📢 News & Articles
“Gyeonggi-do: The Semiconductor Capital of Korea”
“Inside Pangyo Techno Valley: Korea’s Silicon Valley”
“Exploring the DMZ Eco-Zone and Cultural Sites”
🎯 Our Mission
This profile is part of the AFP Global Knowledge Hub, created to deliver accurate, professional, and structured knowledge about world regions.