Korea Minting Corp. releases commemorative medals marking 150th anniversary of Kim Koo's birth

The Korea Minting and Security Printing Corp. announced Friday that it is releasing commemorative medals honoring the cultural and peace philosophy of independence activist Kim Koo on the 150th anniversary of his birth.

The state-run minting agency launched two medals — one gold and one silver — to mark the designation of this year as the "UNESCO Anniversary Year of the 150th Birth Anniversary of Kim Koo." The medals were produced using the corporation's coin manufacturing technology to express Kim's philosophy of peace and his respect for cultural diversity.

The gold medal is made of 99.9 percent pure gold (Au999), measuring 32 millimeters in diameter and weighing 15.55 grams. The silver medal is made of 99.9 percent pure silver (Ag999), with a diameter of 40 millimeters and a weight of 31.1 grams. Both are struck using the proof method.

Pre-orders run for 18 days, from 10 a.m. Friday through midnight on Aug. 31, through the corporation's online shopping mall. Delivery is set to begin sequentially in early October.

The obverse of each medal features Kim's white-clad portrait alongside imagery drawn from his memoir "Baekbeom Ilji," books, the hibiscus flower, and maps of the Korean Peninsula and the world. The design reflects Kim's spirit of integrity and his nation-building philosophy rooted in education, while honoring his emphasis on the "power of a great culture."

The reverse bears a "150th" graphic inspired by a pair of eyeglasses, along with key passages from "Baekbeom Ilji" and "My Wish." An open book motif conveys the idea that knowledge and education form the foundation of a culturally strong and peaceful nation.

"It is deeply meaningful to present these commemorative medals capturing the life and philosophy of Kim Koo on the occasion of the UNESCO anniversary designation," said Seong Chang-hun, president of the Korea Minting and Security Printing Corp. "We hope these medals serve as an opportunity to reflect on Kim Koo's patriotic spirit and his dedication to culture and education."