Bank of Korea

Infobox Central bank
bank_name_in_local = 한국은행 "Hangugeunhaeng"
image_1 = Bank_of_Korea_symbol.gif
image_title_1 = Bank of Korea's symbol
image_2 = Bank_of_Korea_logotype.gif
image_title_2 = Logotype
headquarters = Jung-gu, Seoul, South Korea
established = June 12, 1950
president = Lee Seongtae
leader_title = Governor
bank_of = KOR
currency = South Korean won
currency_iso = KRW
reserves =
borrowing_rate = 5%
deposit_rate =
website = [http://www.bok.or.kr/eng www.bok.or.kr/eng]
preceded = Bank of Joseon
succeeded =
footnotes =Infobox Korean name
hangul=한국은행
hanja=韓國銀行
rr=Hangugeunhaeng
mr=Han'gug-ǔnhaeng

The Bank of Korea (BOK) is the central bank of South Korea. It was established in 1950 at Seoul.

The Bank's primary goal is price stability. For that, the Bank targets inflation. The 2007–09 target is three-year average consumer price inflation of 3.0% ± 0.5.

History

The Bank of Korea was established on June 12, 1950 under the Bank of Korea Act.

The primary purpose of the Bank, as prescribed by the Act, is the pursuit of price stability. The Bank sets a price stability target every year in consultation with the Government and draws up and publishes an operational plan including it for monetary policy.

To this end, the Bank performs the typical functions of a central bank, issuing banknotes and coins, formulating and implementing monetary and credit policy, serving as the bankers' bank and the government's bank. In addition, the Bank of Korea undertakes the operation and management of payment/settlement systems, and manages the nation's foreign exchange reserves. It also exercises certain bank supervisory functions stipulated in the Bank of Korea Act.

The executives, consisting of the Governor, the Senior Deputy Governor, and 5 Deputy Governors, manage departments in the head office and 16 domestic branches. Additionally, the Audit Department belongs to the Monetary Policy Committee. Lee Sungtae was appointed Governor in 2006. The head office is located at Namdaemun Street, Jung-gu, Seoul.

Monetary Policy Committee

At the apex of the Bank of Korea's organization is the Monetary Policy Committee ("Geumyung Tonghwa Wiwonhoe"). The Committee's prime function is the formulation of monetary and credit policies. In addition, the Committee deliberates and resolves on major matters concerning the operations of the Bank of Korea.

The Monetary Policy Committee is composed of seven members representing various groups in the national economy:1) the Governor, ex-officio;2) the Deputy Governor, ex-officio;3) one member recommended by the Minister of Strategy and Finance;4) one recommended by the Governor;5) one recommended by the Chairman of the Financial Services Commission;6) one recommended by the Chairman of the Korea Chamber of Commerce & Industry;7) one recommended by the Chairman of the Korea Federation of Banks.

The members are appointed by the President for four-year terms except the Deputy Governor whose term is three years and are eligible for reappointment. All members serve on a full-time basis and no member may be discharged from office against his will. The Governor serves concurrently as the Chairman of the Committee.

Distribution of currency

The Bank of Korea is the one and only legal issuer of South Korean currency. The Bank distributes the banknotes and coins to the public by sending them to commercial banks.The Bank prints the banknotes and coins at Korea Minting and Security Printing Corporation, the governmental mint and document printer. The crisp notes and coins are bundled and rolled up and shipped to the Bank of Korea headquarters. The Bank of Korea sends crisp new notes to banks time to time. During the two greatest S. Korean holidays, Seollal and Chuseok, the Bank sends giant amount of new notes to banks to be circulated and collects worn-out notes.

ee also

*List of banks in South Korea
*Economy of South Korea
*South Korean won
*Korean won

External links

* [http://www.bok.or.kr/eng The Bank of Korea official site]
* [http://www.cbrates.com/ cbrates.com: Central Bank Rate Decisions and Monetary Meetings]