Hamgyong Province

Hamgyeong (Hamgyŏng-do; Korean pronunciation: [hamɡjʌŋ do]) 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

In 1413, the northeast frontier region of Korea was organized into Yŏnggil Province (Yŏnggil-do; 영길도; 永吉道). In 1416, the province was renamed Hamgil (Hamgil-do; 함길도; 咸吉道), and in 1470, Yŏngan (Yŏngan-do; 영안도; 永安道). Finally, in 1509, the province took the name Hamgyŏng. The name "Hamgyŏng" is derived from the names of the principal cities of Hamhŭng (함흥; 咸興) and Kyŏngsŏng (경성; 鏡城).

In 1895, the province was replaced by the Districts of Kyŏngsŏng (Kyŏngsŏng-bu; 경성부; 鏡城府) in the northeast, Kapsan (Kapsan-bu; 갑산부; 甲山府) in the northwest, and Hamhŭng (Hamhŭng-bu; 함흥부; 咸興府) in the south.

In 1896, Kyŏngsŏng District was reorganized into North Hamgyŏng Province, and Kapsan and Hamhŭng Districts were reorganized into South Hamgyŏng Province. North and South Hamgyŏng Provinces are today part of North Korea.