Shin Saim-dang "Mother of Wisom " will be to first woman to be featured on Korea currency

After the controversy around the proposed 100 000 won bill led to the plan being dropped completely, the central bank has announced the release of a 50 000 won note some time in May or June of 2009. The long over due addition to Korea’s bank notes will feature Shin Saim-dang, a famous calligrapher and mother of Yulgok,  a highly venerated Confucian scholar of the Joseon Dynasty. The addition will mean an end to wallet-busting wads of 10 000 won notes just when it will be most needed by members of Korea’s English instructor population who will be seeing big increases in pay in the near future. A small consolation after the won’s value plummeted to record lows last year.