New W50,000 Bill Armed With Anti-Forgery Tools

The Bank of Korea yesterday unveiled the design of the new 50,000 won bill featuring a portrait of Joseon Dynasty artist and calligrapher Shin Saimdang.

The new bill will begin circulating in June.

The face of the new bill features Shin’s portrait juxtaposed with parts of her paintings “Mukpododo” and “Chochungdosubyeong.” The back comes with the “Wolmaedo” painting of Eo Mong-ryong and the “Pungjukdo” painting of Lee Jeong, painters from the mid-Joseon dynasty.

The banknote is 154 millimeters and 68 millimeters long, and is a little wider than the 10,000 won bill with the same length. Overall, the bill is colored yellow to differentiate itself from the green 10,000 won bill.

To prevent counterfeiting, the new bill has a belt-shaped hologram whose color changes according to changing angles, a silver line, and color-changing pigment.

crystal@donga.com