Who is the face of the Korean money bill and coin?
Who is the face of the Korean money bill and coin?
When you visit Korea, you will inevitably encounter their local currency, the Korean won. As you exchange your foreign currency into Korean won, you will see unfamiliar faces decorating the bank notes. But who are these people in Korean money? In this article, we will explore the characteristics of the faces in Korean money and explore their historical significance.
The faces of Korea’s currency.
Every country represents its heroes and famous figures in currency, and Korea is no exception. The faces of Korean currency represent influential figures who played an important role in shaping Korea’s history, culture, and development. Let’s find out who these figures are and why they are considered important in Korean society.
King Sejong the Great – Ten Thousand Won.
One of the most well-known faces in Korean currency is that of King Sejong, who appears on a 10,000-won bill. He is the fourth king of the Joseon Dynasty and ruled from 1418 to 1450. King Sejong is famous for his contribution to Korean literature and culture, as well as his dedication to developing science and technology. He is widely respected for his role in creating Hangul, known as Hangul, which greatly increased the literacy rate and contributed to the preservation of the Korean language.
Lee Hwang, Lee Yi. – 5,000 won.
The 5,000 won bill features two famous Confucian scholars, Yi Hwang and Yi Yi. Yi Hwang, also known as Toegye, was a leading scholar of the Joseon Dynasty. He devoted his life to Confucianism and played a crucial role in the development and promotion of Neo-Confucianism in Korea. Yi, also known as Yulgok, was a philosopher, politician, and scholar who made remarkable contributions to Confucianism in Korea. Both Yi and Yi are widely respected for their ethical teachings and their influence on Korean society.
Shin Saimdang and Yulgok Yiyi – 50,000 won.
On the W50,000 bill, there are portraits of Shin Saimdang and Yulgok Yi I. Shin Saimdang was a remarkable painter, poet, and calligrapher during the Joseon Dynasty. She was also the mother of the famous Confucian scholar Yulgok Yi I. The art and writing of Shin Saimdang had a lasting influence on Korean art and culture. Yulgok Yi I, as mentioned earlier, was a leading Confucian scholar who greatly contributed to the development of Confucianism in Korea.
Yi Sun-shin – 1,000 won.
The face on the 1,000-won bill is the face of Admiral Yi Sun-shin, a legendary naval commander who defended Korea from Japanese invasion in the late 16th century. Yi is regarded as one of the greatest military strategists in Korean history and is highly respected for his bravery, leadership, and innovative naval tactics. His impressive victory against overwhelming odds earned him a place in Korea’s heroism.