administrative territorial entity of North Korea

The administrative divisions of North Korea are organized into three hierarchical levels. These divisions were created in 2002. Many of the units have equivalents in the system of South Korea. At the highest level are nine provinces and four special cities. The second-level divisions are cities, counties, and districts. These are further subdivided into third-level entities: towns (ŭp), neighborhoods (dong), villages (ri), and workers' districts (rodongjagu).

The three-level administrative system used in North Korea was first inaugurated by Kim Il Sung in 1952, as part of a massive restructuring of local government. Previously, the country had used a multi-level system similar to that still used in South Korea.