The Bank of Korea (BOK) says the new design for the 100-thousand won bill will be adorned with the image of a 19th century Korean map including the Dokdo islets.

Previously, the ruling Grand National Party's chief policy-maker, Lim Tae-hee, raised the issue with the new design, worried that the ancient map did not include the islets.

BOK’s official in charge of issuing banknotes, Jang Se-geun, explained that, although the map’s wooden printing plate did not include the islets, the hand-drawn version of the map mentioned them. The official said the hand-drawn version will be used for the new banknote design.

He added that the government already approved the design of the 100-thousand won bill. The new higher-denomination note will be issued in the first half of next year.