There's been an overwhelming response from South Koreans to an appeal to contribute gold to the national economy. State television, which is sponsoring the campaign, showed thousands of people queuing up at collection centres across the country.

Many people have been handing over wedding rings and family heirlooms in an effort to do their bit for the country. During the first week of the campaign eight tonnes of gold was collected, and the collection drive now appears to be gathering pace.

The gold is being melted down and then sold for US dollars in an effort to increase the country's dwindling foreign-exchange reserves. In return, the donors are receiving bank certificates which will be exchangeable in a month's time for Korean won -- the currency which lost 50% of its value at the end of last year.

One elderly woman handing over her wedding ring and that of her husband said she'd thought twice about it but decided she must do something for the economy. Some economists have warned that the campaign is pushing down world gold prices and will have little practical effect on the country's economic problems.