Jeolla-do, including bothNorth and South Jeolla, was the first province out of theEight Provinces system to have its 1000th year anniversary in 2018, as the name 'Jeolla-do' was established in 1018, duringHyeonjong of Goryeo's 9th year in power.[3]
This sectionis missing information about the history of this province following the Joseon dynasty. Please expand the section to include this information. Further details may exist on thetalk page.(August 2025)
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.[4]
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).[4]
In the 2nd year of KingSeongjong 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.[4]
During the Joseon Dynasty, the country was divided intoeight 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).[4]
There are almost 2,000islands 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 particularoyster andseaweed cultivation, are leading in South Korea.
The province is only partially mountainous. The plains along the riversSeomjin,Yeongsan andTamjin 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, mainlyrice,wheat,barley,pulses andpotatoes.Vegetables,cotton andfruits are also grown in the province.
A small amount ofgold andcoal 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.[5]
According to the census of 2005, of the people of South Jeolla 30.5% followChristianity (21.8%Protestantism and 8.7%Catholicism) and 16.1% followBuddhism.[12] 53.4% of the population is mostly not religious or followMuism and other indigenous religions.
Gwangyang Steel Mill, one of the world's largest single steel producer with an annual capacity of 21 million tons, is located inGwangyang City. In addition, Yeosu National Industrial Complex, the nation's largestpetrochemical industrial complex, is located inYeosu City.[13]
In February 2025, South Korea announced plans for a $35 billionArtificial Intelligence data center with a 3GW capacity to be built in the South Jeolla province.[14] An agreement with the province will ensure thedata center has access to energy, water, and other essential resources.[15]
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