Population density South Korea 2023, by province

In 2023, Seoul had the highest population density of all provinces in South Korea, with about 15,533 people per square kilometer. The port city of Busan, which lies 300 kilometers southeast of Seoul, followed with about 4,258 residents per square kilometer. With 91 people per square kilometer, Gangwon was the province with the lowest population density. 

Population of Seoul

The capital of South Korea, Seoul, is the country's largest city with a population of nearly 9.5 million people, meaning that about 20 percent of South Korea's total population live in Seoul. Together with the surrounding Gyeonggi Province and Incheon Metropolitan Area, the greater Seoul region (or Seoul Capital Area) is home to half of the total population of South Korea. This region also forms one of the largest metropolitan areas in the world.

Solving the problem of overpopulation in Seoul

One of the major problems stemming from overpopulation in Seoul is the housing shortage, leading to a significant surge in real estate prices. Over the past few years, several efforts have been made to curb the excessive population concentration and to solve the associated economic and social problems. In 2007, for example, former President Roh Moo-hyun attempted to move the country's administrative capital to Sejong, which is located 120 kilometers south of Seoul. Although the grand plan did not fully work out, around 40 central administrative agencies have since been moved from Seoul to Sejong, turning the city into the de facto administrative capital of South Korea.