Gwangyang Population 2026

Gwangyang has a population of 154,266, making it the #51 biggest city in 🇰🇷 South Korea, located in Jeollanam-do. Roughly 0.3% of South Korea's population lives here. It is about 67× smaller than Seoul, the country's biggest city.

Location of Gwangyang (capital Seoul shown for reference). Boundaries: Natural Earth.

Population (city proper)

154,266

Rank in South Korea

#51

Coordinates

34.94°N, 127.70°E

~24 m elevation · Asia/Seoul

Distance to capital (Seoul)

299 km

186 miles, straight line

Other big cities in Jeollanam-do

City	Population	Rank in South Korea
Suncheon	276,375	#34
Yeosu	268,823	#35
Mokpo	268,402	#36
Muan	92,009	#62
Kwangyang	89,281	#64
Hwasun	59,914	#89
Sinan	53,150	#96
Yeonggwang	51,688	#98

Cities near Gwangyang

Kwangyang89,281 people · ~10 km away
Hadong40,909 people · ~15 km away
Suncheon276,375 people · ~19 km away
Yeosu268,823 people · ~20 km away
Beolgyo19,842 people · ~34 km away
Kurye30,000 people · ~36 km away

FAQ

What is the population of Gwangyang?

Gwangyang has a population of 154,266 (city proper, latest official figure via GeoNames), making it the #51 biggest city in South Korea.

What region is Gwangyang in?

Gwangyang is located in Jeollanam-do, South Korea.

Is Gwangyang the capital of South Korea?

No, the capital of South Korea is Seoul, about 299 km away.

Sources & notes

Population refers to the city proper (municipal boundaries), not the metropolitan area. Source: GeoNames (CC BY 4.0), retrieved 2026-07-07. Country data: UN World Population Prospects 2024.

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