Detail

To protect the survival of endangered wild animals and plants, the international community has strictly regulated their trade since 1975 through the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). To date, 185 countries have joined this agreement, and Korea has been participating in this global conservation effort since 1993. In Korea, the Ministry of Environment oversees the implementation of CITES, managing tasks such as permitting imports and exports of endangered species, cracking down on illegal trade, and engaging in protection and rescue efforts based on the Wildlife Protection and Management Act. At the heart of CITES is the goal of ensuring that international trade does not threaten the survival of species. To achieve this, species subject to trade are categorized into three appendices based on their level of endangerment, and imports and exports are managed through a permit system accordingly. Currently, around 40,000 species worldwide are registered under CITES protection. However, illegal trade continues to rise. In Korea, where the pet market has rapidly expanded, permit applications related to the import of internationally endangered species have also surged. According to data released by the Ministry of Environment, the number of import/export permits increased from 7,280 in 2022 to 11,535 in 2024, a more than 1.5-fold increase in two years. Additionally, wildlife smuggling violations jumped from 7 cases in 2021 to 31 cases in 2024. Illegal distribution through online communities and social media platforms remains frequent, with reptiles accounting for the largest share of such trade despite many reptile species being listed under CITES protection. To raise awareness of their precarious survival, this commemorative stamp collection features four reptile species listed in CITES Appendix I, which strictly limits international trade. Those four species are the Indian python, pancake tortoise, rhinoceros iguana, and saltwater crocodile. Protecting endangered wildlife goes beyond legal regulation. It is a vital task for maintaining ecological balance and ensuring a sustainable future for humanity. Through this commemorative stamp, we hope to highlight the importance of biodiversity and the urgency of protecting endangered species while encouraging greater public interest and participation in efforts to end illegal wildlife trade and support conservation.