Administrative divisions:

9 provinces (do, singular and plural) and 4 special administration cities (si, singular and plural)

provinces: Chagang, Hambuk (North Hamgyong), Hamnam (South Hamgyong), Hwangbuk (North Hwanghae), Hwangnam (South Hwanghae), Kangwon, P'yongbuk (North Pyongan), P'yongnam (South Pyongan), Ryanggang

special administration cities: Kaesong, Nampo, P'yongyang, Rason

note: P'yongyang is considered a directly controlled city; Kaesong, Nampo, and Rason are designated as special cities

Definition:

This entry gives the numbers, designatory terms, and first-order administrative divisions as approved by the US Board on Geographic Names (BGN). Changes that have been reported but not yet acted on by the BGN are noted. Geographic names conform to spellings approved by the BGN with the exception of the omission of diacritical marks and special characters.

Source: CIA World Factbook