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The Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) was established through the Korean Armistice Agreement to serve as a buffer zone to prevent further military conflict along the border. It has since been a reminder of the tragedy of national division, as well as a symbol of peace. Because it has been a restricted zone for over six decades, the environment in the DMZ is pristine and the ecosystem remains intact. It is a veritable treasure trove of flora and fauna of Korea. The DMZ crosses mountains and prairies and has a significant value as a nature reserve because of its unique, varied geography, which includes rivers, valleys, and basins, as well as swamps and tidal marshes. Within the narrow buffer zone, ecologists have identified half of the 90 species of mammals inhabiting the Korean peninsula, half of the 520 species of birds native to Korea, and forty percent of the country s 4,400 native plant species. Some of these plants and animals are internationally rare species, endangered wildlife, and species designated as Natural Monuments by the government. For such tremendous biodiversity, the DMZ is considered one of the most important nature reserves in the world. The National Institute of Ecology s Summary Report on Biodiversity in the DMZ Area (2016) is a compilation of the findings of surveys conducted over a period of some 40 years. It states that the DMZ is home to 16 Class I endangered species (including musk deer, goats, otters, white-tailed sea eagles, red-crowned cranes, Suweon tree frogs, and Gobiobotia naktongensis), 75 Class II endangered species (including martens, wild cats, flying squirrels, Aconitum coreanum (H. Lev.) Rapaics, white-naped cranes, giant water bugs, freshwater gudgeons, and Pseudopungtungia tenuicorpa), 43 species designated as Natural Monuments (including goats, hawks, and freshwater tortoises), and 175 endemic species of Korea (including Suweon tree frogs, Rhodeus uyekii, Limenitis helmanni, and Acheilognathus signifer). Korea Post is issuing the second set of special stamps displaying the beautiful nature of the DMZ, following the first set released last year. The second set features a helmet with an unmistakable bullet hole, barbed-wire fence, and an innocent-looking squirrel mingling with a kingfisher. These stamps are intended to remind the public of not only the tragedy of national division and the importance of security along the DMZ but also the preciousness of human life and nature.