Gold Price Today in South Korea
Today's Gold Prices in South Korea - All Karats Live
The following are raw gram prices for the gold price in South Korea (before making charges), showing the sell price (what you pay when buying) and the buy price (what you get when selling to a shop).
| Karat | Buy Price | Sell Price | Daily Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 24k | 204,993.68 KRW | 210,067.78 KRW | ▲ 419.30 (+0.20%) |
| 18k | 153,745.26 KRW | 157,550.84 KRW | ▲ 314.47 (+0.20%) |
| 14k | 119,579.65 KRW | 122,539.54 KRW | ▲ 244.59 (+0.20%) |
| Ounce | 6,376,020.93 KRW | 6,533,843.20 KRW | ▲ 13,041.60 (+0.20%) |
Last updated: 04:40 - 21 August 2026
Gold Performance in South Korea Over Last Year
Gap Between Gold Price in South Korea and the Global Price
The table below shows the difference between the displayed local price and the raw global spot price for the same quantity in USD. This is a different indicator from the shop-level "buy/sell spread," since it compares the local price to the pure global price rather than yesterday's price.
| Karat | Local Price | Global Equivalent | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 24k | 210,067.78 KRW | 202,964.04 KRW | +7,103.74 KRW |
| 18k | 157,550.84 KRW | 152,223.03 KRW | +5,327.81 KRW |
| 14k | 122,539.54 KRW | 118,395.69 KRW | +4,143.85 KRW |
Popular Bullion Bars in South Korea
| Bar | Weight (g) | Price |
|---|---|---|
| 1g Bar | 1 | 214,269.14 KRW |
| 5g Bar | 5 | 1,066,093.98 KRW |
| 10g Bar | 10 | 2,125,885.93 KRW |
| 50g Bar | 50 | 10,608,422.89 KRW |
Gold Performance in South Korea - Long Term
Terms Worth Knowing Before You Buy Gold
- What is a troy ounce?
- The troy ounce is the standard global unit used in gold trading on every exchange worldwide, and it equals exactly 31.1035 grams.
- What is the difference between buy and sell price?
- The sell price is what you pay when acquiring gold from a shop, while the buy price is what you receive when selling your jewelry back to the same shop, with the gap representing the dealer's margin.
- What does the karat number mean?
- The karat number indicates the proportion of pure gold in a piece out of 24 parts, so 21k means 21 parts pure gold out of 24, or 87.5% purity.
Market Analysis
Gold carries a distinctive historical weight in South Korea tied to the famous 'Gold Collection Campaign' during the 1997 Asian financial crisis, when millions of citizens donated personal jewelry to support their country's economy, a memory still culturally significant today.
Gold is traditionally measured in 'Don' units for local transactions, a unit equal to exactly 3.75 grams, still widely used in traditional shops despite grams dominating modern pricing.
24k, locally called 'Sungeum' (pure gold), is the preferred standard for savings and investment, while 18k is common in more practical everyday jewelry meant for continuous wear.
Seoul's Jongno district, home to the traditional gold street, stands as South Korea's most prominent historical commercial hub for gold trade for many decades.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was Korea's famous Gold Collection Campaign?
A 1997 national campaign during the Asian financial crisis where millions of Koreans donated personal jewelry to support their economy, a memory still culturally significant today.
What is the 'Don' unit used for measuring gold in Korea?
A traditional weight unit equal to exactly 3.75 grams, still used in traditional shops.
What's the most common gold karat in South Korea?
24k (Sungeum) is preferred for savings, while 18k is common in everyday jewelry.