'Gangwon' Province or 'Gangwon-do' was one of the
Eight Provinces of Korea during the
Joseon Dynasty. The province was formed in
1395, and derived its name from the names of the principal cities of
Gangneung (강릉; 江陵) and the provincial capital
Wonju (원주; 原州).
In
1895, Gangwon-do was replaced by the
Districts of Chuncheon (''Chuncheon-bu;'' 춘천부; 春川府) in the west and Gangneung (''Gangneung-bu;'' 강릉부; 江陵府) in the east. (Wonju became part of
Chungju District.)
In
1896, Korea was redivided into thirteen provinces, and the two districts were merged to re-form Gangwon-do Province. Although Wonju rejoined Gangwon-do province, the provincial capital was moved to Chuncheon.
With the
division of Korea in 1945, the subsequent establishment of separate North and South Korean governments in 1948, and the conclusion of the
Korean War in 1953, Gangwon came to be divided into separate provinces once again:
Gangwon-do (South Korea) and
Kangwon-do (North Korea).
See also
★
List of Korea-related topics
★
History of Korea