Etymology of the Korean currencies
The won is the currency of both North and South Korea. "Won" is a cognate of the Chinese currency unit, the yuan (//), and the Japanese currency unit, the yen (; ¥), meaning "round object". The won is subdivided into 100 jeon ().
Korean currency
Korean currency dates back as far as the Goryeo dynasty (918–1392) when the first iron coins were minted. During that period, even though some imported Chinese currency was also in circulation, commodity currency such as grain and linen continued in general circulation.