Kim Jung-un took another step to assert his power over the country his grandfather Kim Il-sung helped establish in 1948. North Korean authorities had Il-sung's likeness scrapped from the 5000 won bill.
The denomination remains the same on the new banknote ($38.45). It now features the house at Mankyungdae where official propaganda says Kim was born, according to the Guardian. The International Friendship Exhibition at Mount Myohang is pictured on the back.
"From this morning, Chosun Central Bank branches in every region started exchanging the new 5000 bill," a source in North Hamkyung Province told the Daily NK. "When we got the new ones we were surprised to see that the Suryong does not appear."
The money had featured Il-sung's portrait since 1994 before its replacement, according to the Guardian. It is the highest denomination bill in circulation. Authorities had originally announced a bill featuring both Kims, according to the DailyNK.
"Regional bank officials [told] heads of people's units... that the 5000 won would be switched," another source in the country told Daily NK. "They told the people's unit heads to manage the new money very carefully as likenesses of both the Kims appear on it."
The change in the bill's look may signify Jong-un and the country's attempt at "becoming a 'normal' economically developing country," according to the Guardian. The young leader wants to make the Democratic People's Republic more attractive to potential investors without sullying the legacy of his grandfather and father Kim Jong-il.
"Kim Jong-un is looking for economic results. He's moved away from the Kim Il-sung/Kim Jong-il era focus on heavy industry, to concentrate on things like the apartments on Changjeon Street, Munsu Water Park and Masikryong Ski Resort," a senior South Korean expert told the Daily NK.
"He can't actually go out and negate Kim Il-sung officially, but he can change things up to really emphasise the image of himself as leader."
Since taking office in 2011, Kim Jong-un has copied the walk, hairstyle and speech of his grandfather.
