<28> Bank of Korea Museum of Korean Currency, Seoul

Aug. 15 is Liberation Day —

but come the morning of Aug. 16,

could people really head to work with a smile?

NO.

Liberation had arrived,

but the chaos Japan left behind had not yet faded.

To repatriate Japanese nationals and protect their assets after defeat,

Joseon Bank notes were printed in massive quantities over a short period,

and the flood of money, combined with a severe shortage of goods after liberation,

set off runaway inflation.

The joy of liberation shone bright,

but the darkness Japan left behind was not yet over.

Liberation Day falls on Aug. 15 —

but in fact, true liberation was followed by a long period of turmoil.

The Bank of Korea Museum of Korean Currency stands on the very site of the old Joseon Bank.

Here, you can come face to face with

the 100-won Joseon Bank note that helped fuel that inflation.

to be continued...

Bank of Korea Museum of Korean Currency (39 Namdaemun-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul)

Adapted and illustrated by Lee Ju-seop, CP — jusoeba@heraldcorp.com

[Created with the assistance of AI]


why37@heraldcorp.com