Yi Whan-woo is a Korea Times journalist primarily covering finance. He writes in-depth articles on macroeconomy and financial markets and previously covered sports, politics, diplomacy and inter-Korean affairs, among others. Feel free to contact him at yistory@koreatimes.co.kr.
KOMSCO creates souvenirs with recyclable materials from banknote manufacturing
The 2025 calendar distributed by the Korea Minting and Security Printing Corp. (KOMSCO) / Courtesy of KOMSCO
By Yi Whan-woo
The Korea Minting and Security Printing Corp. (KOMSCO) is recycling materials that are left over from manufacturing banknotes and coins to make a range of souvenirs, the company said Thursday.
The pens and calendars are currently available as souvenirs. The list will be expanded to mats, cushions and “every possible good that can serve as lucky charms for fortune,” according to KOMSCO.
The recycling comes as KOMSCO seeks to make a business breakthrough as the country’s sole manufacturer of banknotes and circulating coins at a time when people use less cash.
A set of pens manufactured by the Korea Minting and Security Printing Corp. (KOMSCO) with recycled materials from the banknote-manufacturing process / Courtesy of KOMSCO
The souvenirs are only sold to businesses or distributed as promotional gifts. But they soon will be on sale to retail customers on KOMSCO’s website.
“The sales of goods made of recycled materials is a new way to create value under eco-friendly and cultural projects, KOMSCO CEO Sung Chang-hoon said. “KOMSCO will come up with a wider range of products to contribute a cycle of environment-friendly economic activities.”
The pen is available in four types — each manufactured by using materials that are left over after printing out a 50,000 won bill, a 10,000 won bill, a 5,000 won bill and a 1,000 won bill.
They are offered through customized business-to-business orders targeting corporations and institutions.
A set of two pens is sold at 16,000 won, based on a minimum order quantity of 500 sets.
The calendar carries several images of banknotes, drawing popularity after it was distributed for free as New Year's gifts at the end of 2024.
KOMSCO said it will introduce an updated design for next year’s calendar.