por 
The world of stamp collecting, also known as philately, has been a popular hobby for many years. It involves the collection and study of postage stamps, as well as other related items such as postmarks, covers, and postal history. One country that has a rich history and a thriving philatelic community is South Korea. The Korea Post Philately service is responsible for issuing and managing postage stamps in the country. In this article, we will take a closer look at the service and its history, as well as some of the most important and well-known stamps and designs.
Overview of Korea Post Philately
Korea Post Philately is a division of Korea Post, the national postal service of South Korea. It was established in 1884 and has been responsible for issuing postage stamps since then. The service is in charge of designing, printing, and distributing stamps, as well as managing the philatelic activities in the country. It also works closely with the Korea Stamp Corporation, which is responsible for promoting and selling stamps to collectors and stamp dealers around the world.
History of Korea Post Philately
The first postage stamps of Korea were issued in 1884 during the reign of King Gojong. These stamps were printed in black and white and featured the Korean royal emblem. In 1895, the first commemorative stamps were issued to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the coronation of King Gojong. The designs of these stamps were based on traditional Korean art and culture.
During the Japanese occupation of Korea from 1910 to 1945, the postal service was under Japanese control and stamps were issued with Japanese designs. However, after the liberation of Korea in 1945, the postal service was returned to Korean control and new stamps were issued with designs that reflected the country’s independence and culture.
In the 1950s and 1960s, Korea Post Philately started to issue stamps with more modern and colorful designs. These stamps featured important figures, events, and landmarks in Korean history and culture. In recent years, the service has also issued stamps with popular themes such as sports, nature, and technology.
Famous Stamps and Designs from Korea Post Philately
One of the most famous stamps issued by Korea Post Philately is the 1951 «Peaceful Reunification of Korea» stamp. This stamp was issued to promote the reunification of North and South Korea and features a dove carrying an olive branch over a map of the Korean peninsula. Another notable stamp is the 1962 «Taegeukgi» stamp, which features the Korean national flag and symbolizes the country’s independence and unity.
In 2016, Korea Post Philately issued a series of stamps featuring the traditional Korean art of «Minhwa.» These stamps showcase the beauty and intricacy of this art form, which has been passed down through generations in Korea. Another recent stamp series that gained international attention was the 2018 «Korean Food» stamps, which featured popular Korean dishes such as bibimbap and kimchi.
Korea Post Philately has a long and rich history of issuing stamps that reflect the country’s culture, history, and achievements. The service continues to produce stamps with unique and beautiful designs that are sought after by collectors around the world. With its dedication to promoting Korean culture through stamps, Korea Post Philately plays an important role in the philatelic community.
To learn more about the service and its stamps, visit the official website at https://www.koreapost.go.kr/eng/sub/subpage.jsp?contId=e0010601.
