Korean notes cause controversy

The Bank of Korea is embroiled in a dispute with Korean historians over the launch of its newly designed 10 000-won banknotes.

According to reports, the use of a Chinese image in the design of the notes – launched yesterday – has aggrieved Korean history professors, who say it is wrong to use a Chinese design on Korean banknotes.

The bank used a tool, called the ‘honchonui’, which came from China during the Choson Kingdom. This is understood to be in conflict with the traditional Korean ‘Honchonsigye’ invention.

The bank’s Internet homepage quickly filled with messages calling for the bank to recall the 10 000-won notes and introduce a new design for the bills.

However, the bank has no plans to recall the notes because they say the image of ‘honchonui’ has been adopted as a symbol of the historic Korean ‘honchonsigy’ tool.