On April 1, 2017, the price of each definitive postage stamp will increase by 30 Korean won to 330 won for first-class mail weighing 5 to 25 grams, 420 won for non-standard mail weighing 25 to 50 grams, and 1,960 won for registered mail weighing 5 to 25grams. Korea Post will of course make new stamps available on the same day.
The most commonly used 330-won first-class definitive stamp will feature the symbol of Korea, the Taegeukgi. With a white backdrop that represents the spirit of the peaceloving Korean people, the Taegeukgi has at its center a taegeuk pattern that signifies creativity generated from the harmony of yin and yang, and four black trigrams symbolizing geon, gon, gam, and ri (heaven, earth, water, and fire) at the four corners.
The new 420-won definitive stamp for non-standard mail will feature the mugunghwa (hibiscus), the national flower of Korea. Blooming between July and October, mugunghwa blossoms last only one day. They open in the morning and fall in the evening. Because the mugunghwa blooms every day for about 100 days from early summer to early autumn, the Koreans have long considered it to be a perpetual flower. Its tenacity through the harsh winter of Korea is another reason why it has been viewed as the flower that is most representative of the Korean people.
Lastly, the new 1,960-won postage stamp for registered mail will feature the Buncheong Vase with Inlaid Lotus and Scroll Design, Treasure No. 1067. With a height of 31.7 cm, mouth diameter of 8.0 cm, and base diameter of 9.9 cm, the vase has a wide trumpet-like mouth, slender neck, plump body, and curved solid bottom. It is representative of the exquisite beauty of 15th century buncheong (Korean stoneware with a bluish-green tone). The white and black inlay was printed by stamping technique, and the lotus flowers at the end of curved lotus stems were inlaid into the middle of the body, lending a natural and lively impression.
Half of the new 330-won and 420-won postage stamps will be issued as perforated stamps and the other half will be adhesive, to make them more convenient for users.
* Stamp selling agent for overseas customers, via either FAX +822 773 4438 or e-mail at phila@phila.or.kr
