Korean People's Won EXPLAINED | North Korea Money & Korean Won

North Korean Won is perhaps the least discussed currency in the world. Despite stretching back less than a century, the coins and banknotes in the DPRK have an extensive design history. From Red Army Won in 1945 to the introduction of bankcards in recent years, the Korean People's Won is an incredibly intricate and interesting topic.
Timestamps:
0:00 Intro & Red Army Won:
2:22 First Won (1947)
3:12 Second Won (1959 Edition)
5:45 Second Won (1978 Edition)
8:24 Second Won (1992 Edition)
11:55 Third Won (2009)
16:13 Foreigner Currency & Bank Cards
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Music:
Unidentified KCTV Music
Aegukka - National Athem (1947 Recording)
Long Live the Worker's Party of Korea
My Country is the Best (Intrumental)
The Internationale (Instrumental)
Don't Advance Night of Pyongyang (Intrumental)
Don't Ask My Name - Wangjaesan Light Music Band
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🧧 In Collaboration With DPRK_Banknotes
Instagram: @DPRK_Banknotes
Email: [e-mail]
WhatsApp: shypgx
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🧧 Social Media
Twitter: @BenWestonDPRK
Instagram: @BenWestonDPRK
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#NorthKorea #DPRK

[@DPRKExplained]

Well, that was a long video. If you enjoyed this deep dive into the DPRK's currency please share the video and subscribe to the channel. I've got plenty of ideas to work on so there'll no doubt be more to come. In the meantime, keep your suggestions coming! Also, if you finish this video and are at a loss for what to do next, I recommend going and listening to the Wangjaesan' Light Music Band's version of 'Don't Ask My Name'. It's the ending music for this video and thus far, simply the best thing I've ever come across.

[@shinichikudo7577]

Can you give me the version of "The Internationale" you used? It was so beautiful I had to cry... Gave me goosebumps.

[@8thguy633]

I wish this guy was everybody's source on the DPRK. Completely neutral, no political or national bias. Very well edited and narrated too.

[@caulskava335]

No one is neutral but I like his attitude to North Korea

[@lucasmvelosa]

@@caulskava335ofc you do lol

[@TofuSG98]

​@@lucasmvelosa😂

[@lakitu3339]

i mean truly, if it wasn’t for the US and USSR pushing their political ideals on a broken country and choosing the most aggressive communists/capitalists as leaders, korea would be a very wonderful united country the korean war isn’t the fault of koreans

[@grizzlycharizard0017]

​@lakitu3339 got a lot of learning to do bud.

[@David-zx4rt]

wow. my brother lived in china a while ago, and when he came back to visit initially, he brought me a banknote and told me that it was from korea. I watched this and realized that it was a 1998 issue 5000 won note. Wow!

[@myweirderside]

I have that same banknote

[@john24109]

He’s back at last!

[@DPRKExplained]

Overcompensating with a 19 minute video!

[@easymoneysniper6413]

You have great content - keep it up man, you’re filling a needed niche

[@prohub6033]

It's funny that 'Korean yen' was widely used in Northern China (Japan occupation arear) during the World War II which was called "Elder money" due to the print on it, and its value was a bit stable than the Japanese military currency and puppet government official currency ....

[@loulou3676]

What I learned from this video: 50% Currency of the DPRK 50% The word "obverse"

[@timotheatae]

Ridiculously high quality of animation. Seriously, so glad I've found this channel. Almost makes me want to study in North Korea. That said, I do wonder how you feel about the DPRK? Is it as bad as people say, or is life "pretty reasonable"?

[@DPRKExplained]

Thank you! It's been a labour of love getting this one finished. I generally keep my own views out of it and prefer just to present the information. That being said there is a marked difference between what is generally reported in the west and the accuracy of that information, so all I'd say is tread carefully.

[@brownkorean]

@@DPRKExplained Smart. where do you get all the information and footage from?

[@elricworldman8249]

@Andy Ash can't blame them. Most of their trades are banned and if any other countries were sanctioned like them, i am sure it would be non existent already

[@elricworldman8249]

@Andy Ash source: trust me bro

[@elricworldman8249]

@Andy Ash chill, you look as if desperate to persuade people to believe what you are saying. That surely looks suspicious and not level headed you know.

[@therichardsden]

love the totally unbiased neutrality! Great video and strangely engrossing

[@superluigi782]

Two things that should be noted is that with the banknotes, there are many Commemorative issues. For example, the 50 won at 13:19 has a overprint under the emblem Commemorating the 100th anniversary of Kim Il Sung's Birthday. There are Commemorative overprints on the 1978, 1992, and 2009 issues for various other things. It is also worth noting that prior to the foreigner issues of the won (The foreigner notes featured in the video were from 1988), they used to just put overprints on the back of the 1978 series. You can see one on the back of the 1 won note at 6:43. The colour scheme is a bit different, red is for Western currencies while blue is for Socialist currencies as seen on the 5 won at 7:03. Either way, I definitely enjoyed the video and you have earned a subscriber!!

[@idkstillme4100]

From the moment I started watching you, I knew you would be a good channel, praise the KZbin algorithm!

[@DPRKExplained]

It's not doing me too many favours at the moment, but welcome to this niche lil' community!

[@j00500hall]

So happy to see a new video :) thank you. Quality and informative as always!!

[@Mike-mc3ty]

Great job! I love how this channel covers such unique topics

[@Cafecoleite]

What a great video! You had a very hard working on researching it! Thanks a lot!😍

[@-wealuka7367]

Another banger mate, appreciate your work

[@coroamanicolai4527]

It was worth waiting. Excellent work!

[@toddbevan]

Excellent editing, information and narration.

[@joeylax12]

Awesome video. Very informative. Great work

[@ralfhexham2847]

Great video mate, well presented. A look at history with currency, interesting & informative thanks.

[@der_sandler]

Nice attention to detail with the editing!

[@kennethhannah4221]

First rate informative video.....as always 👍

[@joeshmoe8345]

Fascinating stuff, thanks for sharing big dog!

[@brycepalmer4942]

Glad NK News did a podcast on yalls sites and channels. Great videos.

[@bacior7160]

You are doing a great work, greetings from Poland!

[@realHiromi]

Nice content as usual! I remember buying some souvenir in Yanggakdo Hotel with RMB, and the cashier had to go to the store next door to get me some change. There are many street vendors selling souvenir Korean won packs in DanDong across the border. One pack is around 15RMB (2.5 USD) which contains a full set of the 1992 series.

[@Brick-Life]

are they real North Korean won money?

[@rcpwProductions]

@@Brick-Life i have read that at least for their aluminum coins, a lot are sold in china as fakes for tourists, but i don't see why they would unless there's bigger demand than can be produced.

[@spicyx6820]

This deserves so many more views. Good job, keep it up!

[@ArmyMan0077111]

Been anxiously waiting for your next video, it's really been a while! Keep it up, it's so enlightening! 😊

[@DPRKExplained]

Thank you! It’s comments like this that make me realise sitting in the dark at 4am animating bank notes is worth it! 😁

[@ArmyMan0077111]

@@DPRKExplained no bank note on Earth deserves being worked on at 4 AM 😂

[@theranredguardist1949]

@@ArmyMan0077111 they do

[@theranredguardist1949]

I watched it and i really enjoyed it, could you do something about the DPRK passport please? Also i got 7 adds while watching your video was that you or you tube?

[@DPRKExplained]

Thank you! KZbin I believe, looking into it!

[@NorthPoleSun]

your animations are so good.

[@user-ss1sm9fl2h]

I haven't watched yet. However, I know it's worth my time. Congrats for your excellent work! Be proud of it.

[@NandiCollector]

*My kind of video that I LOVE to watch. :)*

[@cymrawd_foulkesie]

Another amazing video, I'm glad I subscribed to this channel with such informative videos, next can you explain the Military command of the DPRK

[@Griff10poldi]

Great explanation and animations! I collected some of these notes and still missed some of the details you mentioned here. The 1947 won notes are also being reprinted (I believe they are sold for tourists) but missing the watermarks found on the original 1947 notes

[@nayannair2351]

Hi! Love your videos! Could you do a video on how politics works in the DPRK for example the politburo or the central committee of the workers party.

[@theranredguardist1949]

I'd like a video about DPRK passports 😊

[@blackjack5324]

For a collector it is very informativ to learn which symbols are on the banknotes.

[@therealpedersen3671]

I always look forward to your videos!

[@jindaehyunclo]

I learn more about North Korea here than from my history teacher. More videos pls.

[@HeijiFlying]

Amazing video! Who else thought he says "one one coin" and "five one coin" 😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@DPRKExplained]

Me

[@HeijiFlying]

@@DPRKExplained ahhahah :D

[@mvtver]

Can tourists visit shops for common people? Can common people by goods in stores for tourists?

[@monarchofthesea9395]

How do rations work in the DPRK? I know that people are given allocated rations for various goods, does this work similarly to Cuba where they provide discounts for certain goods which are made more expensive after the use of allocated rations? Or do ration cards count as a currency unto themselves along with the main currencies?

[@anelson8856]

It's probably like food-stamps in the U.S.; getting a certain amount of money sent to your account each month for food and drinks.

[@stefanosiclari]

11:09 I have seen several of these banknotes and there's one thing I don't understand: all Korean bills seem to have the numbers on the left side, and the text in korean characters on the right side - for the 5000 Won bill, however, they are mirrored? Why is that?

[@professionalboomer]

Your videos are actually incredible well done! You should get more attention

[@DPRKExplained]

Thank you!

[@Ggdivhjkjl]

The Flower Girl is an excellent film with many beautiful songs.

[@Brick-Life]

Yoooo finally!

[@SaigonBrit]

I think we can say that a coin is 'minted' but what is the verb for bank notes/bills?

[@DPRKExplained]

Printed…? I guess?

[@mahdib2947]

wonderful video ; I get wonder knowledge about ur country Thanks a lot 🇰🇵🇰🇵

[@Abuda7amHD]

Firstly, thank you very much for this very well-done and informative content. You mentioned that there was a discontinued foreigner currency (from 1978 - 1988) and there were two notes: red notes for visitors from Communist countries, and green notes for visitors from Capitalist countries. As for the former, what is the list of countries that the DPRK -at the time- considered Communist? And what was the utility of having two different notes?

[@mecha37000fighter]

Lively video!

[@wesleynishi6081]

Very cool video. Just FYI in Korean, you don't say il-baek to say one hundred. In Korean and Japanese, you always omit the one before hundred. So just say baek won to denote one hundred won.

[@gabbot141]

Thank you for making such great unbiased content about the DPRK!

[@panh4]

Ty bong!

[@geekybasilempire6874]

Luv your vids

[@e.9785]

Weird request maybe, but grocery stores? :D

[@gagislobista2]

You could make a clip about computing in DRPK and Red Star OS

[@thegermanguy6129]

Can you make a video about shopping in the DPRK im looking forward to it Warm greetings from West Germany hehe

[@romawar]

I have some first won banknotes, bought them during my visiting of flee market in Kazan. Wish i could get more directly from Pyongyang

[@collinhaas6137]

I found a 2000 won note today at a thrift store for $10 🤣

[@ant647448336]

I've got 2 lots of different NK banknotes that I picked up from my Korea border tour. Really fascinating.

[@grundgesetzart.1463]

I love their banknotes and have some of them, and almost all of the newer ones. A fascinating country....I was surprised to learn about the e-banking...cool that they have that too.....

[@KarmicXRestrictions]

It's one of my goals to collect paper money from every socialist state that has survived until modern day. So this is really helpful thank you!

[@michasmoka5673]

me too I just Love souvenirs and having something that doesn't exist now is cool

[@Ayratzay]

I love your content. You sound like Korean. Are you Korean? Is there any chance you make a video about department stores logistics in North Korea? My dad loved in Soviet Union and he told that logistics of department stores in SU was unique

[@DPRKExplained]

Not Korean, but studying the Pyongan Dialect of Korean. I can certainly look into that!

[@kennethhannah4221]

English

[@virginiamontoya2685]

Thank you for documentary this important history of North Korea

[@prefeitobear9209]

those bank notes are pretty.

[@OldPrimate]

I have all of these except the 1959 series. Where can I get them?

[@brotjack]

Unfortunately after the Korean War, neither side WON.

[@Mexicoball1]

In my country they sell very well and at very cheap prices!

[@sdot5389]

There is an excellent Currency Museum in Seoul that explains virtually all the origins of Korean currency. Well recommended.

[@ronaldmcdonald8303]

Where can I find this money? I have been all over the place and can't find it. I want to collect interesting currencies!

[@kaifferschannel4152]

I have a 50 won note. It's interesting to learn the History behind it all.

[@axyspianostudio]

imagine buying stuff with north korean currency in the dprk *you: how much does this axolotl plushie cost? *seller: oh it's pretty cheap, just 10 joseonminjujuuiinmingonghwagug won *you: ahh, i only have 6 joseonminjujuuiinmingonghwagug won with me... can i just give you the rest joseonminjujuuiinmingonghwagug won later? *seller: you can also just borrow a few joseonminjujuuiinmingonghwagug won from your friend *you: hhhh fine *you: hey (insert north korean name), do you have any spare joseonminjujuuiinmingonghwagug won? i'll give it back later i promise *your friend: sure *gives you a few joseonminjujuuiinmingonghwagug won*

[@overlandkltolondon]

Is it Mount Paektu on the notes?

[@gaymoder]

early squad!

[@DPRKExplained]

Haha. This will look awful if nobody else comments

[@soumitrab5283]

Me

[@DPRKExplained]

@@soumitrab5283 Smashed it

[@soumitrab5283]

@@DPRKExplained 😂

[@j00500hall]

Get it guys!

[@YukariAkiyamaTanks]

Whats the song at 6:00? I really it.

[@Griff10poldi]

It’s called “My Country Is The Best”

[@DS87]

I managed to buy a 5000 won note in China. It was the 1998 design but the note states that it was printed in 2006 (Juche 95). How is that so?

[@buckfizzard291]

When you get a dollar it's not redesigned every year is it

[@monhi64]

0:27 Hold up, I just want to talk about for a quick second about the the symbol for round is literally a square filled with many rectangles. By far the most square looking character I’ve ever seen and it’s definition is for round things. Anyone know what’s up with that, is there a story here

[@AnayansyGarcia]

OML I JUST FIGURED OUT THAT I HAVE THE OLD CURRENCY

[@mjrcox2354]

Wait so nothing cost less than 15 chon between 1947 and 1959?

[@n1msu]

'this is going to be a long one/wan' very funny xD

[@petrovichbauer5105]

Your pronunciation of Korean words sound like you speak it

[@adrianogaboga20]

I keep thinking they are adding one when it's won

[@pongusikya]

In 47 the DPRK was writing L -> R?

[@Brick-Life]

The longest video !

[@Boblik]

What music is used?

[@DPRKExplained]

Unidentified KCTV Music // Aegukka - National Athem (1947 Recording) // Long Live the Worker's Party of Korea // My Country is the Best (Intrumental) // The Internationale (Instrumental) // Don't Advance Night of Pyongyang (Intrumental) // Don't Ask My Name - Wangjaesan Light Music Band

[@Boblik]

@@DPRKExplained thanks

[@user-fk9wl8vn2e]

@@DPRKExplained Hey! Can you please share Don't ask my name by Moranbong band?

[@DPRKExplained]

@@user-fk9wl8vn2e Correction: It was from the Wangjaesan Light Music Band - kzbin.info/www/bejne/lZ2xYWmZbcZlmac

[@user-fk9wl8vn2e]

@@DPRKExplained I see. Thanks!

[@Tofu3435]

Me before clicking in the video: "what did they won? "

[@noremorsewoodworking2258]

I was victorious in a small bet so I won one won!

[@Nothing123Battle]

Thanks for giving a informative video for us Americans to consume. I've gotten tired of Western media demonizing the DPRK. I just want to see how everyone lives. Not a political statement.

[@kevaljani5808]

Great country

[@legateelizabeth]

In the depiction of ‘the intellectual, the worker, and the peasant’, it’s always the woman that’s the peasant, even in 2009. While I’m sure there’s additional cultural context and all that, it’d still be nice to see some variance. Display a little equality in the expectations.

[@supking403]

Yeah KOREA NUMBER WON

[@rwamvby2709]

13:53 Did I just hear a Discord ping?

[@ranelaan767]

Kinda

[@Mthermavrick]

Video idea: How North Koreans view everyday US citizens.

[@darkblu117zcrookedneck8]

Instead the dollar. It's Won. I Won Million Won Yeah.

[@Ggdivhjkjl]

Thumbs up to show your love for the Supreme Comrade!

[@Saturnize7]

Korea won!

[@drqwyxz3588]

Long live great DPR Korea and its marvelous people!

[@BillyBob_McSanchez]

Squid Games brought me here

[@KalebPlayzGaming2]

Amazing video i have 5 10 won 1972 coins how much can you get in Korea for that