Pounds GBP to Korean won KRW exchange rate

Issued by the Bank of Korea in the capital, Seoul, the South Korean won is the official currency of South Korea. It’s abbreviated to KRW (short for Korean Republic won) and its symbol is ₩.

One South Korean won is subdivided into 100 jeon, but the jeon is no longer used apart from on stock exchanges. The lowest that changes hands in everyday transactions is 100 won, worth about 7 pence at the time of writing.

The South Korean won (KRW) is used only by South Korea itself. It’s not to be confused with the North Korean won (or PKW) used across the border, which has the same symbol but is a separate currency issued by the Central Bank of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

You can buy Korean won online or in branch at the Post Office (find your local participating branch). It’s easy, commission-free and we’ll give you a competitive rate.

You may get a better rate if you buy online rather than in branch. And the rate gets better the more currency you buy. You’ll also save money if you can wait until the exchange rate favours the pound over the won.

Order with Click & Collect and, if it’s before 3pm on a working day, you can pick your currency up in any participating branch the next working day. Or we can deliver it to your home.

First issued in 2009, the highest value denomination in the South Korean currency is the 50,000 won banknote. Smaller shops won’t usually have change for it, so keep some smaller denominations too. The other banknotes in circulation are the 1,000, 2,000, 5,000 and 10,000 won.

The lowest denomination coins are the 1 and 5 won coins, which are rarely seen in circulation. Much more common are the 10, 50, 100 and 500 won coins.

It’s important to check if travel to your destination is permitted and safe before you go, and any local laws or risks to keep in mind if you do. If you travel against official advice in the UK or your destination country or region you could invalidate your travel insurance.

You’ll find the latest travel advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) here. There’s also a dedicated advice page for South Korea.