South Korea Cities by Population 2026

South Korea Overview

The largest city in South Korea is Seoul , with a population of 9,217,913 people.

As just the 109th largest city by area, South Korea surprisingly has one of the largest populations and is one of the most densely populated countries in the world. When breaking down the population numbers, there are a total of nine cities that have surpassed the one million resident milestone. Its largest city, Seoul, has a population of over 9.2M, with Busan — its 2nd most populous city — trails behind with just over 3.2M.

South Korea has lots to offer its residents, from beautiful natural and historic landmarks and scenery to its industrial and technological roles. As home to cities with the largest shipyard in the world and the world’s largest auto processing plant, it’s no surprise that many migrants from outside of the country, as well as natives that live in rural areas, move into the larger cities to take advantage of these sites and opportunities. Expansion and development of cities, as well as migration from less populated areas, has led to South Korea having a rural population that accounts for just 18% of the country’s total population, which declined from 72% in 1960 and shows just how quickly its urban areas have grown. Lower population rates and an aging population has slowed growth before cities become too overcrowded and the excessive population puts a strain on the largest cities’ resources.