This year marks the 100th anniversary of the population and housing census, and the Bank of Korea is expected to issue commemorative coins. This is the first time that commemorative coins are being issued at the request of the National Statistical Office.
According to the Ministry of Economy and Finance and the Bank of Korea on the 14th, the ministry is currently finalizing approval processes related to the commemorative coin for '100 years of Korea's census.' They are reviewing whether the quantity, purpose, specifications, and timing of the issuance are appropriate. Officials at the ministry noted that approval is expected soon.
Once the government's approval is granted, the Bank of Korea will present the agenda to the Monetary Policy Committee meeting (a meeting that does not decide on monetary policy). If the agenda is approved at this meeting, the issuance of the 100th anniversary commemorative coin will be finalized. An official from the bank said, 'There is a high likelihood that it will be discussed at the Monetary Policy Committee in April or May.' The actual issuance or sale is expected to take place in the autumn, when the population and housing census is conducted.
According to the Bank of Korea Act, the Bank of Korea can issue Korean banknotes or coins to commemorate individuals whose achievements need to be widely recognized, significant events or occasions both domestically and internationally, and national heritage. The only commemorative banknote issued so far was during the '2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics.' To date, 68 commemorative coins across 205 types have been issued.
Commemorative coins are typically issued in 2 to 3 types per year. The most recently issued commemorative coins are themed 'Korea's key industries and economic development,' with two types produced based on semiconductors and shipbuilding.
Meanwhile, this year marks the 100th anniversary of the population and housing census conducted by the National Statistical Office every five years. It has been 100 years since the 'simple national census' was initiated in 1925 (conducted by the Japanese general government during the colonial period), which is considered the beginning of modern censuses in Korea. The census will take place in October.