The price of gold in Hampyeong County, South Jeolla Province, has risen to an all-time high, causing the value of the ”golden bat statue” to soar (South Korea)

As the price of gold hits an all-time high, the value of the Golden Bat Statue in Hampyeong County, South Jeolla Province, also hit a new record high.
According to the Korea Exchange on the 13th, the domestic gold price the previous day reached 158,870 won per gram. This is the same as on January 2nd.
The price is 23 percent higher than the previous price of 128,790 won per gram. The golden bat statue was created in 2005 by Hampyeong County Mayor Lee Seok-hyun as a natural monument and endangered species.
The sculpture was commissioned to commemorate the discovery of 162 golden bats in 1999, and was completed in 2008.
The statue is 2.18 metres tall, 1.5 metres wide and made of 162 kilograms of pure gold (at the time).
The cost of materials alone, including 2.83 billion won (2.7 billion won) of iron ore and 281 kilograms of silver (130 million won at the time), came to 2.83 billion won (about 300 million yen), drawing criticism that it was a "waste of taxpayers' money."
However, as the price of gold continues to rise, the value of the Golden Bat statue has also risen, and its current value has reached 26.1 billion won (approximately 2.76 billion yen).
It has also been given nicknames such as "Tocoin" and "Hampyeong Tesla." Meanwhile, the "Five Lucky Eggs," made from the gold left over from the creation of the Golden Bat Statue, are also becoming increasingly valuable.
The Ohbok Hako Egg is a gold ornament made in 2010 using 19.31 kg of gold, 8.94 kg of silver, and 0.19 kg of gemstones, at a total cost of 66 million won.
Its current value is said to be a whopping 3.08 billion won.