# North Korean won

> Official currency of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea

**Wikidata**: [Q106720](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q106720)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_Korean_won)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/north-korean-won

## Summary
The North Korean won (KPW) is the official currency of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, issued and managed by the Central Bank of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. Introduced on December 6, 1947, it serves as the primary medium of exchange, unit of account, and store of value within North Korea's jurisdiction. The currency is identified internationally by the ISO 4217 code KPW and is symbolized by the character ₩.

## Key Facts
- **Official Name**: North Korean won (also known as the won of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea).
- **ISO 4217 Code**: KPW.
- **Symbol**: ₩.
- **Issuing Authority**: Central Bank of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.
- **Date of Introduction**: December 6, 1947.
- **Jurisdiction**: Applies exclusively to North Korea.
- **Wikidata Description**: "Official currency of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea."
- **Wikipedia Title**: "North Korean won."
- **Commons Category**: "Money of North Korea."
- **Wikipedia Language Coverage**: Available in 68 languages, including Arabic, Chinese, English, French, German, Japanese, Korean, Russian, and Spanish.
- **Freebase ID**: /m/01rn14.
- **Namuwiki ID**: 북한 원.
- **Wikikids ID**: Noord-Koreaanse_won.
- **QUDT Unit ID**: CCY_KPW.
- **QUDT Dimension ID**: A0E0L0I0M0H0T0D1.
- **Wolfram Language Unit Code**: "NorthKoreanWon".
- **Interlingual Index ID**: i108878.
- **WordNet 3.1 Synset ID**: 13731097-n.
- **Great Russian Encyclopedia Portal ID**: severokoreiskaia-vona-f93426.
- **Revised Romanization**: Joseon minjujuui inmin gonghwaguk won.
- **McCune–Reischauer Romanization**: Chosŏn minjujuŭi inmin konghwakuk wŏn.
- **Historical Reference**: Introduced following the establishment of the North Korean state's monetary system in 1947.
- **Exchange Rate Context**: As of March 23, 2018, the price was approximately 0.0009 euros per unit.
- **Image Reference**: Historical 5 won banknote from 1959 is documented with the description "5 вона от 1959 г."
- **Permid**: 500190.
- **Sitelink Count**: 68 language editions on Wikipedia.
- **Aliases**: Includes "won norcoreano," "KPW," "北朝鮮ウォン," "朝元," "北韓元," "朝鲜货币改革," "朝鲜元," "Валюта КНДР," "Северо-корейская вона," "Северокорейская вона," "вона," "Won da República Popular Democrática da Coreia," "Won Norte Coreano," "Won da República Democrática Popular da Coreia," "Won da Coreia do Norte," "조선민주주의인민공화국 전," "원화," and "조선민주주의인민공화국 화폐."

## FAQs
**What is the official currency of North Korea and who issues it?**
The North Korean won is the sole legal tender in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, issued and regulated by the Central Bank of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. It functions as the standard unit for all domestic financial transactions and economic planning within the country.

**When was the North Korean won first introduced?**
The currency was officially established and put into circulation on December 6, 1947, marking a pivotal moment in the early economic history of the DPRK. This date is referenced in historical records and Wikipedia archives as the start time for the currency's existence.

**How is the North Korean won represented in international standards and digital systems?**
Internationally, the currency is designated by the ISO 4217 code KPW and uses the symbol ₩. In digital and scientific contexts, it is recognized by specific identifiers such as the QUDT Unit ID (CCY_KPW) and the Wolfram Language Unit Code ("NorthKoreanWon").

**What languages provide documentation for the North Korean won?**
The entity is documented across 68 different language editions of Wikipedia, ranging from major languages like English, Chinese, and Russian to regional languages such as Cantonese, Korean, and Arabic. This extensive linguistic coverage reflects its status as a significant global economic entity.

**Are there historical records or specific banknotes associated with the North Korean won?**
Yes, historical documentation includes specific banknotes such as the 5 won note issued in 1959, which is cataloged in Wikimedia Commons. These artifacts serve as physical evidence of the currency's evolution and design history since its inception in 1947.

## Why It Matters
The North Korean won is the fundamental financial instrument that enables the internal economy of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea to function, facilitating trade, pricing, and state-controlled economic activities. As the sole legal tender, it represents the sovereignty of the North Korean state in monetary policy and serves as a critical indicator of the country's economic isolation and internal market dynamics. Understanding the won is essential for analyzing North Korea's unique economic structure, its relationship with international sanctions, and the specific challenges of currency valuation in a closed economy. Its existence since 1947 highlights the longevity of the DPRK's monetary system despite significant geopolitical shifts and internal reforms.

## Notable For
- **Longevity**: Has been in continuous circulation since its introduction on December 6, 1947, making it one of the older currencies in East Asia.
- **Sovereign Issuance**: Uniquely issued by the Central Bank of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, reflecting the state's centralized control over finance.
- **Global Documentation**: Maintains a presence in 68 distinct Wikipedia language editions, demonstrating its recognition across diverse linguistic communities.
- **Standardized Identification**: Possesses a unique ISO 4217 code (KPW) and a specific Unicode-compatible symbol (₩) for global financial recognition.
- **Historical Artifacts**: Features documented historical banknotes, such as the 1959 5 won note, which are preserved in digital archives like Wikimedia Commons.
- **Digital Integration**: Recognized by major digital knowledge systems including Freebase, Wikidata, QUDT, and the Wolfram Language.
- **Linguistic Diversity**: Known by a wide array of aliases and romanizations, including Revised Romanization and McCune–Reischauer systems, catering to international and local usage.
- **Economic Specificity**: Serves as a case study for a currency operating within a highly restricted, non-market economy with limited convertibility.

## Body

### Core Definition and Classification
The North Korean won is defined as the official currency of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. It functions as a generally accepted medium of exchange, a unit of account, and a store of value within the specific jurisdiction of North Korea. Structurally, it is classified as an instance of both "currency" and "won," placing it within the broader category of monetary units. The currency is explicitly tied to the state, with its issuance and regulation managed by the Central Bank of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. It is the primary financial instrument for the country's internal economic activities, distinct from foreign currencies or digital assets not recognized by the state.

### Historical Origins and Timeline
The North Korean won was established on December 6, 1947, marking the beginning of its role as the national currency. This date is a critical historical marker, referenced in multiple authoritative sources including Wikipedia and the Great Russian Encyclopedia. The introduction of the won coincided with the early formation of the DPRK's economic infrastructure. Historical records also document specific iterations of the currency, such as the 5 won banknote issued in 1959, which provides insight into the currency's early design and material history. The currency has persisted through various economic reforms and political changes, maintaining its status as the sole legal tender.

### International Standards and Identification
To facilitate global recognition and data interoperability, the North Korean won is assigned several unique identifiers. The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) designates it with the code **KPW**. In scientific and semantic web contexts, it is identified by the **QUDT Unit ID** (CCY_KPW) and the **QUDT Dimension ID** (A0E0L0I0M0H0T0D1). The **Wolfram Language** recognizes it with the unit code "NorthKoreanWon." Additionally, it holds a **Freebase ID** of `/m/01rn14` and a **WordNet 3.1 Synset ID** of `13731097-n`. These identifiers ensure the currency is accurately represented in databases, financial software, and academic research.

### Linguistic Representation and Aliases
The North Korean won is known by a diverse array of names and aliases across different languages and romanization systems. In English, it is referred to as the "North Korean won" or "won of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea." In Spanish, it appears as "won norcoreano" and "Won da República Popular Democrática da Coreia." Russian sources use terms like "Валюта КНДР," "Северо-корейская вона," and "Северокорейская вона." Chinese aliases include "北朝鮮ウォン," "朝元," "北韓元," "朝鲜货币改革," and "朝鲜元." The currency is also known by its symbol **₩**, which is described as the "currency symbol" in metadata. Romanization systems provide further variations: the **Revised Romanization** is "Joseon minjujuui inmin gonghwaguk won," while the **McCune–Reischauer** system renders it as "Chosŏn minjujuŭi inmin konghwakuk wŏn."

### Digital Presence and Documentation
The North Korean won has a robust digital footprint across various knowledge platforms. It is the subject of a dedicated Wikipedia article titled "North Korean won," which exists in 68 languages, including Arabic, Chinese, English, French, German, Japanese, Korean, Russian, and Spanish. The **Wikidata** entry for the currency includes a detailed description and links to related entities. It is categorized under "Money of North Korea" on Wikimedia Commons, where historical images, such as the 1959 5 won banknote, are archived. The currency is also indexed in the **Great Russian Encyclopedia** portal and the **Namuwiki** (Korean wiki) under the ID "북한 원."

### Economic Context and Valuation
As a currency operating within a closed economy, the North Korean won's value is distinct from market-driven currencies. Historical data indicates that as of March 23, 2018, the exchange rate was approximately 0.0009 euros per unit. This valuation reflects the complex economic conditions and limited convertibility of the currency. The currency is used for all domestic transactions, serving as the basis for pricing goods and services within North Korea. Its management by the Central Bank of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea underscores the state's direct control over monetary policy and financial stability.

### Related Entities and Properties
The North Korean won is connected to several key entities and properties within the knowledge graph. It is an instance of the class "currency" and the subclass "won." The **Central Bank of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea** is the issuer and regulator. The currency applies to the jurisdiction of **North Korea**. It is linked to the **Wikidata property P38** (currency) and is the object of properties such as **P498** (currency of) and **P562** (currency of the former). The currency is also associated with the **Great Russian Encyclopedia** portal ID `severokoreiskaia-vona-f93426` and the **Interlingual Index** ID `i108878`. These connections integrate the North Korean won into a broader network of economic, historical, and cultural data.

## References

1. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013