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`In accordance with the Ministry of information and Communication`s plan to phase in new stamps to replace ones that have been in use for some time, `Mr, Hong young-sik`, which graced the 600-won definitive stamp first issued on June 25, 1990, is being replaced by `Mr. Hong Young-sik and the Postal Services Bureau. `Mr. Hong Young-sik is called the Father modern Korean postal system. In Korea, the modern postal system was introduced un 1884 during the reign of King Kojong, which was when postage stamps first began to be used for the collection of postal service charges. The Postal Services Bureau was created in April 1884 by a royal edict, and Hong Young-sik was appointed as its chief. Korea`s first postage stamps, called MoonWi Stamps, were issued on November 18 of the same year (October 1 by the lunar calendar). The Postal Services Bureau was established on April 22, 1884 and began providing postal services on November 18. Unfortunately, however, the newly-born agency was forcibly closed down on December 8 as a result of the abortive coup that we typically callKapsin Chongbyon , which took place on December 4. The coup was planned and carried out by reform-minded Koreans, including Hong, who chose to use the banquet in celebration of the opening of the postal administration as an occasion for disposing of conservative officials. The building in which the Postal Services Bureau commenced its operations still stands on Ujongkuk-no(Postal Services Bureau Street), Kyunji-dong, Chongno-ku in Seoul. We invite you to look back with Mr. Hong Young-sik on the history of Korea`s Englightenment Movement and the historic launch of the modern postal system, as part of the country`s struggle to establish an independent and efficient modern state during the late 19th century. `