Gangwon is one of the eight provinces of Korea. The province was formed in 1395, and derived its name from the names of the principal cities of Gangneung and the provincial capital Wonju. In 1895, Gangwon was replaced by the Districts of Chuncheon in the west and Gangneung in the east. In 1896, Korea was redivided into thirteen provinces, and the two districts were merged to reform Gangwon Province and the provincial capital was moved to Chuncheon. With the establishment of the DPRK in 1948, the capital was moved back to Wonju.