Korea-Russia Joint 'Gomupyo' Stamp Issuance

Korea-Russia Celebrate Year of Mutual Cultural Exchange
Featuring Representative Wildlife: Korea's Half-moon Bear and Russia's Brown Bear

[Asia Economy Reporter Hwang Junho] The Korea Post under the Ministry of Science and ICT will issue two joint stamps with Russian Post on the 15th to commemorate the Year of Korea-Russia Mutual Cultural Exchange. The total number of stamps issued is 672,000.

Russia is a key partner in the New Northern Policy, maintaining a friendly relationship with Korea through over 30 summit meetings since establishing diplomatic relations in 1990, cooperating in politics, economy, cultural and human exchanges, and the energy sector.

The joint stamps feature the representative wild animals of the two countries: Korea's Asiatic black bear and Russia's brown bear. The Korean Asiatic black bear population sharply declined due to the Japanese colonial era's harmful animal extermination campaign, poaching, and habitat loss. In 2005, it was designated as a first-class endangered wild animal by the Ministry of Environment for protection. The Asiatic black bear typically measures 130?190 cm in body length, weighs about 150?200 kg, and has an average lifespan of about 20 years in the wild.

The Russian brown bear has a broader forehead and smaller ears, giving it a sleeker head shape than the Asiatic black bear. Its body length ranges from 190 to 280 cm, weight usually between 200 and 400 kg, and it has an average lifespan of about 50 years in the wild.

Park Jong-seok, head of the Korea Post, said, "I hope that the steadfast images of the Korean Asiatic black bear and the Russian brown bear on these joint stamps will serve as an opportunity to strengthen the friendship between Korea and Russia."

The commemorative stamps are available at nearby post offices or through the internet post office.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.