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The fact that a woman is going to be featured on the new 50,000 won bill is causing controversy in Korea:
Ms Shin will be the first woman to be featured on a Korean bank note, and the bank said its aim is to promote gender equality and women’s participation in society
Some, however, opposed the bank’s choice, saying the decision is based on an outdated concept of what an exemplary woman should be.
“I wonder if a woman who excels in needlework and helps raise a genius possesses the qualifications that modern women look up to? Will they welcome her as a role model?” asked the president of Future Culture Publishing Eom Eul Soon.
Women’s groups argued that many modern Korean women are highly educated and very capable, and that they contribute much to the national economy; the traditional good, wise and self-sacrificial wife and mother image is no longer representative of today’s Korean women. [Channel News]
I think the fact that that there is a discussion about this is proof enough of how quickly things are changing in Korea in regards to a woman’s place in Korean society.
1:21 am on November 8th, 2007 1
They could always turn to the first First Lady to honor with a bill…
2:12 am on November 8th, 2007 2
I appreciate the gesture of trying to put some "her" into history, but sadly, there just aren't many prominent females in Korea's long history. Who was Shin's competition? Yu Kwan-sun and Queen Seondeok, neither of whom had accomplishments that would merit joining the Great King Sejong, Yi Yul-gok, and Yi Hwang in the paper currency panthenon. At least they didn't pick Kim Ku.
2:28 am on November 8th, 2007 3
I don't care Who they put on the bill, as long as it's bigger than mon won. I'm tired of carrying a suitcase full of currency to pay my rent.
3:31 am on November 8th, 2007 4
How about the wife of the first ROK President? Oh, wait…
4:29 am on November 8th, 2007 5
Austrian lady in Korean currency? How about Princess PyongGang? What about Ms AppenSeller of Ehwa founder? Most of these Korean Women's Right group leadership all graduated from Ehwa high school or Ehwa University. What a way to honor the founder of first women's education system in Korea.
4:42 am on November 8th, 2007 6
With the way Roh has been kowtowing to Kim Jong-il, I'd not be too surprised to see Comrade Kim Jeong-sook on ROK won.
5:11 am on November 8th, 2007 7
From a cultural standpoint, a better choice might be Hwang Jin-i (1520c.-1560c.)… also known by her kisaeng name Myeongwo.
Shin Min-a, a.k.a. the World Cup Girl, would be a good pick as well. Not only is she easy on the eyes, but the Korean won would quickly become one of the most sought-after global currencies.
Ha Ri-su might work as well. For an added security feature, you could hold it up to the light and see the watermark of a dork between her legs.
Songtan Sally would be my vote. More GIs than anybody wants to admit could hold up a fifty and say, "Yeah, this one time when I was REALLY fcuked up…"
J!
1:41 am on November 9th, 2007 8
[...] Due to the criticism of putting Shin Saimdang as the first female on Korean currency a slight change has been made by the Korean government. Fortunately one of my very own ROK Drop readers just so happens to have an inside scoop on the slight altercation that has been made to the won note: [...]
9:11 am on November 8th, 2007 9
What about the Midgit of Toko-ri? You can have her on one side and Songtan Sally on the other.
12:53 pm on November 8th, 2007 10
Like, duh… the Midget of Toko-ri goes on a coin.
How about Songtan Sally on the front and glass houses on the back… that way, when you hold it up to the light, she seems to be behind glass and beckoning you to, "Come on, let's go."
J!
6:27 pm on November 8th, 2007 11
Chickenhead,
LMAO.
2:25 pm on December 12th, 2007 12
[...] Results) 1|2 Next > Are you looking for? No Suggestions Found. 1. Woman Featured on New Won Bill at ROK Drop You can have her on one side and Songtan Sally on the other. … How about Songtan Sally on the [...]