North Korea (1992-2009)

This serie of banknotes belongs to the period of the country in the last moments of power of Kim il-sung, who died during the beginning of the nuclear arms race with the USA, and the beginning of the term of his son Kim Jong-il, who decreed 3 years of national mourning to the death of his father and later developed the policy of Sogun (first military), some detente with South Korea and the US and, by the floods of the mid-90's, there was a famine in North Korea that killed between 220,000 and 2 millions of people. With the election of George W. Bush and the US consideration of North Korea as a "rogue state", he increased the speed to acquire the nuclear weapon (and thus not suffer the fate of Iraq), having the first nuclear test in 2008. There are banknotes of 1 won, 5 won, 10 won, 50 won, 100 won, 500 won, 1,000 won and 5,000 won.

1 won (일원)

This banknotes worth 1 won was issued in 1992. On the main side right you can see the actress Hong Yong-hee in her role in The Flower Girl (musical film from 1972, attributed to Kim Il-sung). In the right appears the written value of the banknote and a 1 and in the left, the name of the National Bank in Korean (조선민주주의인민공화국중앙은행), two 1's and North Korea's coat of arms, completed with decorative elements. 

On the other side of the banknote, it can be seen Mount Kumgang with clouds (known for its scenic beauty since ancient times), near Kumgangsan. There are two 1's in opposite corners, the written value of the banknote, the name of the National Bank and decorative elements. This banknote has Chollima Statue (in Pyongyang) as digital watermark. The size of this banknote is 11.6 cm x 5.5 cm.

5 won (오원)

This banknotes worth 5 won was issued in 1998. On the main side right, you can see students, Kim Il-sung University and Mangyongdae School Children's Palace (place for extra-curricular activities). Next to them appear the written value of the banknote and a 5. In his left appears the symbol used to refer nuclear reactions, the name of the National Bank in Korean (조선민주주의인민공화국중앙은행) and North Korea's coat of arms. 
On the other side of the banknote, it can be seen   Grand People's Study House, the central library of Pyongyang. There are three 5's in opposite corners, the written value of the banknote, the name of the National Bank and decorative elements. This banknote has Chollima Statue (in Pyongyang) as digital watermark. The size of this banknote is 12.6 cm x 6 cm.

10 won (십원)

This banknotes worth 10 won was issued in 1998. On the main side right you can see a worker, industries and Chollima Statue (mythological winged horse too fast and elegant for mortals) representing the movement of rapid economic development, on Mansu Hill in Pyongyang. In the right appears two 10's and in the left, North Korea's coat of arms, the written value of the banknote and in the upper left corner, the name of the National Bank in Korean (조선민주주의인민공화국중앙은행), all completed with decorative elements.
On the other side of the banknote it can be seen Phi Islet, which hosts the West Sea Dam, and P'i Do's lighthouse, in Nampo. There are two 10's in opposite corners, the written value of the banknote and decorative elements. This banknote has Chollima Statue (in Pyongyang) as digital watermark. The size of this banknote is 13.6 cm x 6.5 cm.

50 won (오십원)

This banknotes worth 50 won was issued in 1992. On the main side right you can see young professionals and Juche Tower, built to celebrate the 70th birthday of Kim Il-sung, in Pyongyang. In the right appears North Korea's coat of arms and a 50 and in the left, the written value of the banknote and in the upper left corner, the name of the National Bank in Korean (조선민주주의인민공화국중앙은행), all completed with decorative elements.

On the other side of the banknote it can be seen Mount Paektu, volcanic mountain on the border between North Korea and China, being the highest mountain on the Korean peninsula. There are two 100's in opposite corners, the written value of the banknote and decorative elements. This banknote has Juche Tower (in Pyongyang) as digital watermark. The size of this banknote is 14.6 cm x 7 cm. 

 

100 won (백원)

This banknotes worth 100 won was issued in 2002. On the main side right, you can see Kim Il-sung, North Korea leader and dictator from 1948 to 1994 (and leader of the Workers' Party of Korea). He is surrounded with roses of Sharon. In his left appears North Korea's coat of arms. There are two 100's, the written value of the banknote and in the upper left corner, the name of the National Bank in Korean (조선민주주의인민공화국중앙은행).

On the other side of the banknote, it can be seen  Mangyondae-guyok, a city in the west of the country that is Kim Il-sung birthplace too. There are two 100's in opposite corners, the written value of the banknote and decorative elements. This banknote has Arch of Triumph (in Pyongyang) as digital watermark. The size of this banknote is 15.4 cm x 7.5 cm. 

200 won (이백 원)

This banknotes worth 200 won was issued in 2005. On the main side right, you can see mangnolia (몬란), national Corean flower. Next to them appear the written value of the banknote and a 200. In their left appears the name of the National Bank in Korean (조선민주주의인민공화국중앙은행), another 100 and North Korea's coat of arms, fulled with decorative elements.


On the other side of the banknote, it can be seen  a big 200 with another 200, the written value of the banknote, the name of the National Bank and decorative elements. This banknote has Chollima Statue (in Pyongyang) as digital watermark. The size of this banknote is 14 cm x 7.2 cm.

500 won (오십원)

This banknotes worth 500 won was issued in 1998. On the main side right it can be seen Kumsusan Palace of the Sun, Kim Il-sung and Kim Jong-il's mausoleum, in Pyongyang; next to it appears the written value of the banknote and a 500. In his left appears North Korea's coat of arms, two 500's, the written value of the banknote and in the upper left corner, the name of the National Bank in Korean (조선민주주의인민공화국중앙은행), a golden wire and a star.

On the other side of the banknote it can be seen   Chongryu Bridge, one of the six bridges which crosses Taedong river through Rungna Islet.  There are two 500's in opposite corners, the written value of the National Bank and the written value of the banknote, plus decorative elements. This banknote has Arch of Triumph (in Pyongyang) as digital watermark. The size of this banknote is 15.6 cm x 7.5 cm.

1000 won (오천원)

This banknotes worth 1000 won was issued in 2002. On the main side right, you can see Kim Il-sung, North Korea leader and dictator from 1948 to 1994 (and leader of the Workers' Party of Korea). He is surrounded with roses of Sharon. In his left appears North Korea's coat of arms. There are two 1000's, the written value of the banknote and in the upper left corner, the name of the National Bank in Korean (조선민주주의인민공화국중앙은행).

On the other side of the banknote, it can be seen  Mangyondae-guyok, a city in the west of the country that is Kim Il-sung birthplace too. There are two 1000's in opposite corners, the written value of the banknote and decorative elements. This banknote has Arch of Triumph (in Pyongyang) as digital watermark. The size of this banknote is 15.4 cm x 7.5 cm. 

5000 won (오천원)

This banknotes worth 5000 won was issued in 2002. On the main side right, you can see Kim Il-sung, North Korea leader and dictator from 1948 to 1994 (and leader of the Workers' Party of Korea). He is surrounded with roses of Sharon. In his left appears North Korea's coat of arms. There are two 5000's, the written value of the banknote and in the upper left corner, the name of the National Bank in Korean (조선민주주의인민공화국중앙은행).

On the other side of the banknote, it can be seen  Mangyondae-guyok, a city in the west of the country that is Kim Il-sung birthplace too. There are two 5000's in opposite corners, the written value of the banknote and decorative elements. This banknote has Arch of Triumph (in Pyongyang) as digital watermark. The size of this banknote is 15.4 cm x 7.5 cm.