Korean units of measurement

Lore & Background

Customary Korean units are a local adaptation of the traditional Chinese system, adopted at a very early date and adjusted by royal statutes. Standardization was accomplished through officially sanctioned rulers, ropes, odometers, and weights. Despite joining the Meter Treaty, it was removed from the International Bureau for Weights and Measures in 2012 for non-payment of fees. North Korea still uses traditional units in approved sectors, such as the pyeong for private farming regulations, and Kim Jong Un announced a metrification initiative in May 2013 to strengthen international exchange.

Reader's Guide

Korean units of measurement represent a system deeply intertwined with the country's history, from ancient kingdoms through Japanese occupation to modern metrication efforts. The system's legacy is evident in Korean literature and poetry, including the national anthem's reference to 'three thousand lis of rivers and mountains.' The units also reflect Korea's complex relationship with foreign influence—Chinese origins, Japanese standardization, and later pressure to adopt the metric system for international trade. In North Korea, traditional units continue in government-approved sectors, illustrating how measurement systems can carry cultural and political weight. The ongoing informal use of units like the pyeong and don, despite fines and bans, underscores the challenge of fully replacing deeply embedded customary practices.

Did You Know?

• Under the Joseon dynasty, different classes of society were permitted different numbers of kan in their homes.
• North Korea's metrification initiative was announced in May 2013 as part of Kim Jong Un's policy stressing science and technology.