Detail

`The Ministry of Communications, designating the week starting on October 5, 1976, as the 4th Philatetlic Week, is to sponsor various programs of events, including an exhibition of postage stamps, to promote stamp collecting among the people as a most sound and rewarding hobby. The Republic of Korea issued its first postage stamps in 1884, the 21st year of Emperor Kojong, following the inauguration of modern postal service. Since then, a total of 1,092 kinds of postage stamps?55 kinds issued by the end of Imperial Korea and 1,037 kinds issued since the 1945 Liberation?have been issued. Today, postage stamps serve not merely as receipts for government­designated fees for the delivery of mail but also are regarded as cultural assets of artistic value through which to introduce both at home and abroad a nation`s political, economic, social, cultural and many other aspects of life. The increasing number of those, who try to get living knowledge of the world through stamp collection, is estimated to exceed 50 million by far throunghout the world. More than 200,000 philatelists and as many as 2,027 philatelic organizations are scattered widely in Korea alone. On this occasion of marking the 4the Philatelic Week, the Ministry of Communications is issuing this postage stamp in the hope that more of our people will come to enjoy the noble hobby of philately for the improvement to our philatelic culture.`