What Is 10000 won note

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Last updated: April 11, 2026

Quick Answer: The 10,000 won note is South Korea's most commonly used banknote, featuring King Sejong the Great (1397-1450) on the obverse and the Honcheonsigye astronomical clock on the reverse. Introduced in 2007, the green-colored bill measures 161 mm × 76 mm and includes 21 advanced security features to prevent counterfeiting.

Key Facts

Features King Sejong the Great, the fourth king of the Joseon Dynasty famous for creating Hangul in 1443
Dimensions are 161 mm × 76 mm with a dominant green color scheme
Includes 21 security features such as holograms and watermarks visible under light
Reverse depicts the Honcheonsigye, an astronomical clock from 1669 designated as South Korean national treasure number 230
Introduced by the Bank of Korea in 2007 and remains the primary banknote in current circulation

Overview

The 10,000 won note is South Korea's most widely circulated banknote and serves as the standard denomination for everyday transactions. Issued by the Bank of Korea, this green-hued currency represents a significant portion of cash transactions in the country.

First introduced in 2007, the 10,000 won note replaced an earlier version and incorporates modern security features reflecting South Korea's advanced anti-counterfeiting technology. The note measures 161 millimeters in length and 76 millimeters in width, making it one of the larger denominations in Korean currency circulation.

How It Works

The 10,000 won note combines artistic design with practical security measures:

Obverse Design: The front of the banknote prominently features a portrait of King Sejong the Great (1397-1450), the fourth monarch of the Joseon Dynasty, who is celebrated for introducing Hangul, the Korean alphabet, to the nation in 1443. The portrait appears in traditional hanbok clothing and serves as a symbol of Korea's cultural heritage.
Reverse Imagery: The back of the note displays the Honcheonsigye, an astronomical clock created in 1669 by Song I-yeong. This instrument, designated as South Korean national treasure number 230, was used by navigators and astronomers to determine the positions of stars and planets. The background includes star maps and imagery from the Bohyeonsan Observatory.
Security Features: The note incorporates 21 distinct security features to prevent counterfeiting. These include holographic strips with three-dimensional images that shift colors when viewed from different angles, embedded security threads, watermarks visible only when held to light, and microprinting that requires magnification to read.
Color Composition: The predominant green coloring, combined with tan and red accents, creates a distinctive appearance that makes the 10,000 won note easily recognizable in daily transactions and minimizes confusion with other denominations.

Key Comparisons

Aspect	10,000 Won Note	Other Korean Denominations
Primary Use	Most common for everyday transactions	50,000 won (larger purchases), 1,000 won (smaller items)
Historical Figure	King Sejong the Great (alphabet creator)	Admiral Yi Sun-sin (5,000), King Sejong (10,000), Yi Hwang (1,000), Seo Cha-deok (500)
Security Features	21 security features including holograms	Varies by denomination and issue year
Introduction Date	2007 (current series)	Older series from earlier decades still exist
Physical Dimensions	161 mm × 76 mm	Larger denominations are physically bigger

Why It Matters

Economic Function: The 10,000 won note serves as the workhorse of South Korea's cash economy. With an approximate value of $7-8 USD (depending on exchange rates), it represents an optimal denomination for retail purchases, restaurant bills, transportation costs, and daily expenditures.
Cultural Significance: By featuring King Sejong the Great, the banknote celebrates one of Korea's most influential historical figures. Sejong's creation of Hangul in 1443 democratized literacy and remains a source of national pride, making the currency itself a medium for preserving Korean heritage.
Technological Achievement: The inclusion of the Honcheonsigye on the reverse demonstrates Korea's historical contributions to astronomy and scientific innovation. This astronomical clock represents the technological sophistication of the Joseon Dynasty and connects modern Koreans to their scientific heritage.
Security and Trust: The 21 integrated security features reflect South Korea's position as a technologically advanced nation committed to protecting its currency from counterfeiting. These features build public confidence in the currency system and demonstrate ongoing innovation in anti-counterfeiting technology.

The 10,000 won note remains an essential component of South Korea's monetary system, blending practical currency function with cultural representation and historical significance. Its continued circulation and universal recognition make it a symbol of Korean identity and economic stability.