Detail

New airmail postage stamps are being issued under the themes of traditional Korean folk art, crafts and games including drums and the drum dance, Hahoital(the traditional mask of Haho`i village) and Ssirum (Korean wrestling). Records show that the traditional drums has been used since the Three Kingdoms Period(B.C.1st-A.D.7th Century). Three are more than 20 different kinds of traditional Drums used in Drum Dances, P`ansori (a kind of traditional music) and Nong-ak (Korea`s traditional farmers` musical band). The Drum Dance itself is often performed along with Nong-ak or as a Buddhist ritual. The Hahoit`al, which is designated as National Treasure No.121, is a wooden mask. Ten different types of Hahoital of 11 masks have been passed on. These masks served as both sacred and artistic ones, and are estimated to have been made during the 11th and 12th century, which also marks the period during which the Koryo Celadon known as `Chongja` flourished. Ssirum, although a test of strength, kindled friendship between the players through close physical contact. Along with the Gunoi(a swing) for women, it is one of the main folklore games Koreans enjoy on the traditional Dan-oh holiday (May 5 by the lunar calendar). The Ministry of Communications issues these airmail postage stamps as a starting point for international friendships, in hopes that these traditional Korean scenes will spread the peace and art-loving spirit of Korean throughout the world. The Ministry of Communications has drawn up `The Definitive Postage Stamps Design Improvement Plan` with a view to promoting the philatelic culture. In accodance with this plan, the Ministry issues definitive postage stamps in denomination of 10 won whose design have been changed and 110 won postage stamp for the basic letter rate revised on February 10, 1993. The Taegukki, the national flag of the Republic of Korea, has been chosen as the design for the 10 won postage stamp being the basic denomination unit. The white background of the flag symbolizes the purity of the Korean people and their peace-loving spirit. The T`aeguk circle and four trigrams stand for the eternal principle of nature that everything in the universe in created and developed through the interaction of yin and yang. The flag as a whole represents the yearning of the Korean people to evolve forever together with the universe. The final is in the shape of a bud of Sharon rose and its entire surface is painted in gold. The rose of Sharon (Hibiscus syriacus L.) has been chosen as the design for the 110 won postage stamp, which stands for the unblemished homogeneity and the indomitable spirit of the 70 million Korean people in the midst of strong powers and it is a symbol befitting the portrayal of Korea as the `the gentlemanly country of the East`. The rose of Sharon originates from Asia Minor and this ornamental flower is also used for medicinal purpose. The postage stamps, featuring the T`aegukki and the rose of Sharon, are issued by the Ministry of Communications to diffuse pride and the spirit of the Korean people through the circulation of postage stamps. In Accordance with change of the postal charges on Feb. 10, 1993, we issue two kinds of definitive postage stamps whose face values are 160 Won and 701 Won ; the former for non-standardized basic letter, and the later for the registered mail. Chong-IP`um-Song, the pine tree designated as the National Monument No.103, is chosen for the design of the 160 Won definitive postage stamp in order to express the Korean upright spirit. This pine tree, which stands on the path to Popchusa temple located in Mt. Songnisan, Poun-gun, Ch`ungchongbuk-do, is 15m high and about 570 years old. Legends say that when King Sejo(r.1455-1468) was visiting Popchusa temple, this pine tree held up its branches and allowed the king`s palanquin to pass below, and so King Sejo nominated this tree as an Official, Chong-IP`um, which is equivalent to a Minister rank. King Sejong(r.1418-1450)and the Preface of Hunminchong-um, the mother of the Korean Alphabet, Hangul, are chosen together as the design for the 710 Won definitive postage stamp. King Sejong is widely worshiped and respected as the great king through his achievements ; the solidity of the foundation of Choson Kingdom, and the development of science and technology as well as the prosperity of the national culture. Hunminchong-um, invented in 1443 and promulgated 3 year later by King Sejong, is scientifically designed as phonetic alphabet so that all the people can learn and use it with ease, and may also write it both horizontally and vertically at will, and therefore makes Korean boast to the world. The Ministry of Communications issues these definitive postage stamps in hopes of restoring our peoples spirit and the creativity that flourished in science during the early years of Choson Kingdom. The Ministry of Communications is issuing definitive postage stamps under `The Postage Stamps Design Improvement Plan` with a view to promote philatelic culture. Now this ministry issues three denomination of 20 Won, 30 Won and 40 Won, and designs are selected among fauma and flora living in Korea. The Korean stork(Ciconia boyciana Swinhoe) has been chosen for the design of 20 Won postage stamp. This bird is similar to the crane but a little larger in size, belongs to the stork family and is white with the exception of the first and second feathers of its wings which are black. It faces extinction due to blind poaching and destruction of the environment, and is an international protected bird designated as Natural Monument No. 199, and even listed as the 46th endangered bird species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources(IUCN). The White Magnolia(Magnolia denudata Desr.), belongs to the magnolia family, and has been selected for the design of 30 Won postage stamp. This plant is a decidous tree widely used for decorative purposes as well as medical applications. Its height is between 5∼15m, and its folwers bloom during March and April, preceding its leaves. The Korean White Pine(Pinus Koraiensis Sieb. et Zucc) which belongs to the pine family has been chosen for the design of 40 Won postage stamp. It is 30m in height and 1m in diameter. This tree is an indigenous tree, and its age ranges from 300∼500 years. Its leaves are in the shape of fascicles of five and its fruit is edible. Pine wood is used as structural wood and plywood. The Ministry of Communications issues these postage stamps with hopes that animals and plants of our surroundings will be protected and preserved forever.