South Korea's central bank on Monday announced the two historic figures to be depicted on new bank notes to be issued in early 2009.
According to the Bank of Korea, Kim Koo, the country's revered independence fighter, is to have his portrait printed on 100,000-won (US$110.07) bills. Kim, who headed the country's interim government in Shanghai whilst Korea was under Japanese rule between 1910 and 1945, was assassinated in 1949 after Korea was liberated from the colonial rule.
Shin Saim-dang, a renowned female writer and calligraphist, is to be featured on the second-biggest 50,000-won bills.
Shin was also the mother of Yulgok, one of the most respected scholars of the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910). She is often held up as a model of Confucian ideals. With her help, Yulgok was able to become the respected scholar.
The central bank in May unveiled its plan to issue higher-denomination bank notes to meet increasing demand for such bills in line with the growth of the economy and to cut costs of issuing and handling checks.
Prior to the announcement, the central bank conducted a nationwide survey of 1,000 individuals and another poll of 150 experts including artists, historians and scholars, the bank said.
Currently, 10,000 won is the highest denomination of the country's currency in circulation, followed by 5,000 won and 1,000 won.