The two special cities (T'ŭkpyŏlsi; 특별시 , 特別市 ) are large metropolitan cities that have been separated from their former provinces to become first-level units.
Cele două orașe guvernate direct (Chikhalsi; 직할시, 直辖市) sunt mari zone metropolitane, care au fost separate de fostele lor provincii pentru a deveni unități administrative separate.