North Korean Won - History

History

See also: History of the Korean currencies For the Korean won before the North–South division, see Korean won.

The won became the currency of North Korea on December 6, 1947, replacing the Korean yen that was still in circulation.

North Korean won are intended exclusively for North Korean citizens, and the Bank of Trade (무역은행) issued a separate currency (or foreign exchange certificates) for visitors, like many other socialist states. However, North Korea made two varieties of foreign exchange certificates, one for visitors from "socialist countries" which were colored red, and the other for visitors from "capitalist countries" which were colored blue/green. FECs were used until 1999, then officially abolished in 2002, in favor of visitors paying directly with hard currency, especially the euro.

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