Korea has used the administrative regions and geographical features to define its sub-regions. The administrative classification refers to classifying regions according to administrative districts while the geographical classification assorts regions into homogeneous and functional regions. In Korea, a combination of the administrative and geographical classifications has been applied. For example, the distribution of mountains and rivers enabled the geographical classification by living area and administrative districts established from Goryeo Dynasty became the root of the contemporary administrative districts. The provinces as administrative districts have been considered significant in Korea’s regional classification. The contemporary regional classification of Korea is similar to the traditional regional classification that descended from the Goryeo and Joseon Dynasties. Regional differences are getting narrower today than in the past thanks to the development of efficient transportation that enables the transfer of traditional values from one region to another. Under these circumstances, the distributions of various dialects that are still used by local residents today are an important indicator in the historical classification of regions.

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