New south Korean banknote

South Korea plans to released a new 50,000 Won note in May or June 2009. Worth only about US$35, this note, however, is 5 times more than current highest denomination, the 10,000 Won note featuring King Sejong.Chochungdo, a painting genre initiated by Shin Saimdang, depicting plants and insects

She is the first woman to appear on a South Korean banknote, the 50,000 won note to be issued in 2009. Critics, however, have criticised her selection as reinforcing sexist stereotypes about women's roles.The note features Shin Saim-dang (1504-1551), painter, author, and mother of the great philosopher Yul-gok, also known as Yi I (1536-1584).

Chochungdo, a painting genre initiated by Shin Saimdang, depicting plants and insects

Sin Saimdang (1504-1551) was a Korean artist and calligraphist, and the mother of the Confucian scholar Yulgok. She is often held up as a model of Confucian ideals. Her respectful nickname was Eojin Eomeoni (어진 어머니; "Wise Mother"). With her help, Yulgok became a respectable scholar.

The sizes of the Korean bank notes have recently been changed. The higher the denomination, the bigger the size. The new 50,000 Won will be 6mm bigger than the 10,000 Won note.