Keesun Jang

Bank of Korea

Bank of Korea was established on June 12, 1950 under the Bank of Korea Act. Bank of Korea was originally established with a capital of 1.5 billion won, all of which was subscribed by the Government, but the amendment of Bank of Korea Act in 1962 made the Bank a special juridical person having no capital. The primary purpose of the Bank, as prescribed by the Act, is the pursuit of price stability. The Bank sets a price stability target 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, Bank of Korea undertakes the operation and oversight of the payment and settlement systems, and manages the nation's foreign exchange reserves. It also conducts supervisory functions for financial institutions as stipulated in Bank of Korea Act.