city that has a population greater than 1,500,000. List Notes The name "Seoul" does not originate from hanja. The official Chinese translation is written as /, which is a transcription based on the pronunciation of "Seoul", but / remains frequently used. As an affix or abbreviation, the character gyeong (), which means "capital", is used. Seoul was designated a "Special Independent City" (Teukbyeol-jayusi; ) separate from Gyeonggi Province on August 16, 1946; it became a "Special City" on August 15, 1949. Renamed cities Dissolved cities Claimed cities See also List of cities in South Korea by population Administrative divisions of South Korea References Sources The Principal Cities of South Korea Korea.net-Facts about Korea Korea.net-Facts about Korea External links Largest cities in South Korea