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This year, October 7th will mark the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Uruguay and Korea. Interestingly,Montevideo, the capital of Uruguay, is located directly on the opposite side of the earth from Seoul, Korea. Though they are the farthest country from each other in the world, the two nations have maintained close friendship and cooperative ties over the last five decades in many areas, including politics, economy and cultures. In recent years particularly,the diplomatic relations have led to active trade and investment, as well as cultural exchanges, between the two countries. To celebrate the 50th anniversary of their diplomatic ties, Korea Post and its Uruguayan counterpart,El Correo Uruguayo will issue joint stamps featuring Nongak and Candombe, folklores representing Korea and Uruguay, respectively.Also referred to as pungmulgut, maegu,jisinbapgi, pungjanggut or duregut, Nong-ak (meaning “farmers’band music”) is a traditional culture that has been widely enjoyed by Korean people. It is an art form that integrates music,dance and theatrical performance. While playing percussion instruments such as kkwaenggwari (small handheld gong), jing (gong), janggu (hourglass-shaped drum), buk (barreldrum), and sogo (small handheld drum), a Nong-ak troupe march, dance, and put on a play, and sometimes even perform acrobatics. Nong-ak is performed for many functions and purposes, including fundraising, professional troupes’performing shows, and mostly importantly, community events in agricultural villages. Such events include shamanistic rituals for god of village or farming, rites to dispel evil spirit and invite good fortune, spring rituals to wish for good harvest, and harvest festivals in autumn. Because Nong-ak and dancing have long been part of local festivities, Nong-ak is considered a symbol of celebration and joy by people of Korea. Known also as the roots of tango, Candombe is popular,festive music in South America that originates from ritual ceremonies in African jungle. While playing three drums of different sizes and tunes, namely chico, repique and piano,the performers dance and march to the rhythmic beat in parade. Every Sunday and on many holidays, Candombe drum calls enliven the Sur, Palermo and Cordon districts in southern Montevideo, Uruguay, home to a population of African descendant. “Candombe and its socio-cultural space”were inscribed in 2009 on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.