Pyongan

Pyongan, also romanized as Pyeongan, refers to a historic province of Korea, known in hanja as 平安道. The name carries meanings related to peace and safety and was used for a northwest region of the Korean Peninsula, spanning part of the Yellow Sea coast and inland areas. The province encompassed diverse geography, including coastal plains, river basins, and foothill country, and it played a role in regional administration and commerce in premodern Korea.

Historically, Pyongan existed as an administrative unit during the late medieval and early modern periods, including the Joseon era. After Korea was divided following World War II, the territory that had been Pyongan was reorganized in the northern half of the peninsula. In the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, the former Pyongan lands are now administered as North Pyongan Province and South Pyongan Province, reflecting the division of the peninsula into separate states.

In modern usage, Pyongan is most commonly encountered as the namesake of these two North Korean provinces. The region has a long history of agriculture and fishing, with urban and industrial development concentrated in coastal and transport hubs. The Pyongan name remains in historical references, academic works, and the toponymy of the Korean peninsula, indicating its enduring legacy in Korean geography and regional identity.

See also: History of Korea, Provinces of Korea, North Pyongan Province, South Pyongan Province.