Korea Post to Issue Commemorative Stamps for the 30th Anniversary of Local Autonomy

The Korea Post announced on October 13 that it will issue commemorative stamps marking the "30th Anniversary of the Launch of Local Autonomy" starting on the 17th.

A total of 450,000 stamps will be issued, and they can be purchased by visiting a nearby main post office or through the online post office.

The commemorative stamps feature a design of the Korean Peninsula adorned with hibiscus flowers, symbolizing the image of "Korea where democracy is in full bloom."

South Korea began its system of local autonomy in 1995, when the "First Nationwide Local Elections" allowed residents to directly elect the heads of local governments. This shift marked South Korea's move away from a centralized structure and is credited with sowing the seeds of grassroots democracy by guaranteeing local residents' autonomy and participation.

Over the past 30 years, local autonomy has developed in line with the unique characteristics and needs of each region, improving the quality of administrative services and fostering a culture of voluntary civic participation.

From Seoul's bustling urban centers to small villages in Jeju, a variety of resident-led policies and efforts to preserve regional identity have become possible through the advent of local autonomy.

Kwak Byungjin, Acting Director General of the Korea Post, stated, "Through these commemorative stamps, we hope to reflect on the achievements of local autonomy that have taken root in Korean society over the past 30 years," adding, "We hope this will serve as an opportunity to remember the meaning of change and participation brought about by grassroots democracy in everyday life."

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