Detail

Starting September 1, 2021, postage fees will be increased by KRW 50, with the basic rate for ordinary post raised to KRW 430, large post to KRW 520, and registered post to KRW 2,530 in accordance with the regulated postal rates. Accordingly, Korea Post is issuing three types of newly designed definitive postage stamps (KRW 430, KRW 520, KRW 2530). On the KRW 430 stamp for ordinary post are the Taegeuk design and the Hunminjeongeum manuscript, which are symbolic of Korea. In 1443, King Sejong, the fourth king of the Joseon dynasty, completed characters that were suitable to the Korean transcript after feeling pity towards the fact that the masses struggled to learn and use Chinese characters. He called these characters “Hunminjeongeum,” which means “proper sounds for the instruction of the people.” Thereafter, a commentary was published as Hunminjeongeum Haerye (Explanations and Examples of Hunminjeongeum) in 1446, the 28th year of the reign of King Sejong. The illustration of the words on the stamp is an excerpt from Hunminjeongeum Haerye: Yongjarye (Examples of the Uses of the Letters). On the KRW 520 stamp for large post is the flower Mugunghwa (Hibiscus syriacus), which has been adored by Koreans while also being the symbol of Korea. Mugunghwa, “a flower that blooms for eternity and never withers,” was highly valued by Koreans even before the Gojoseon era. The royal family of Silla even referred to their reign as “the land of Mugunghwa.” Mugunghwa that bloomed with the country and its people became beloved by all through the Enlightenment period at the close of the Joseon dynasty and even enduring the harsh times of Korea under Japanese rule. Mugunghwa is mentioned in the lyrics of the national anthem Aegukga, and continues to carry on the noble spirit of the Korean people. On the KRW 2,530 stamp for registered post is the Goryeo-era “Celadon Gourd-shaped Ewer and Saucer with Paste-on-paste Floral Design,” which is designated as National Treasure No. 1930. Using a technique that placed a thick layer of paint over the ceramicware to create patterns, this celadon with floral design is highly prized as it is a complete set of gourd-shaped ewer with lid and saucer. The celadon is praised for its overall concise and impressive, elaborate designs, and it is one of the finest, exceptional relics that display the layering and painting technique. You can see the actual celadon in its entirety standing bold at the National Museum of Korea.