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With the adjustment in the postal rates effective as of January 15,
2002, Korea Post released five new definitives and 4 new priority mail
definitive stamps. The stamps are: 160-won definitives for non-priority
postcards (under 5g), 210-won definitives for non-priority mail (under
50g), 280-won definitives for nonstandard non-priority mail, 1,290-won
definitives for registered mail (under 25g) and 1,310-won definitives for
registered mail (under 50g). The Priority Mail Service, launched in October
1 of 1994, is designed to meet the demand of users requiring prompt delivery
of mail. Unlike non-priority mail that is delivered within four days of
mailing, the priority mail is delivered the day after. The new stamps for
priority mail are: 280-won stamps for priority mail under 25g, 310-won
stamps for priority mail under 50g, 1,380-won stamps for registered priority
mail under 25g and 1,410-won stamps for registered priority mail under
50g.
The 160-won definitives feature the Limenitis populi (Linnaeus), the
poplar admiral butterfly. The wings of these butterflies are the longest
among all striped butterflies at 70 to 80 mm. The female butterflies are
larger than their male counterparts and have a wider white band in the
wings. These butterflies live in valleys in high mountains or at the borders
of forests.
Falco tinnunculus, or the kestrel, featured in 210-won definitives is
a falcon of permanent residence across the nation. Its body stretches aporoximately
30cm and male kestrels are slightly smaller than the females. They build
nests in rock walls on riversides and between walls of buildings where
they lay their eggs.
The 280-won definitives feature the Ficedula zanthopygia. This summer
bird found across the nation belongs to the family of Daurian redstarts.
It resembles the narcissus flycatcher except that its eyebrows are white.
Its body stretches 11? in length. It takes up nest in holes in trees or
in artificial nest boxes and lay 5 to 6 eggs at a time.
The 1,290-won definitives feature the roof-end tile of the kylin design.
Roof-end tile refers to the roofing tile placed on the edge of the eaves.
This roof-end tile from the Unified Silla Period takes the shape of a powerfully
winged kylin with its tail raised head turned to the side. (Displayed at
the Gyeongju National Museum)
The ridge-end tile depicted in the 1,310-won stamp was excavated from
the site of the Hwang-ryong Temple and belongs to the Silla Dynasty period.
This is the largest of the ridge-end tile found to date in Korea. The ridge-end
tile is a decorative tile placed on the outer ends of the ridge (center
of the roof) and also served the function of preventing the spread of fire.
The tile is decorated with patterns of lotus and faces of men and women.
(Displayed at the Gyeongju National Museum)
The four types of newly unveiled stamps for priority mail feature "vehicles
(airplanes, trains, trucks)". Changes were made in the background color
of the stamps to distinguish its purpose of use. Of the definitive postage
stamp for priority mail, the 280-won stamps are yellow while the 310-won
stamps are blue. As to registered priority mail postage, the 1,380-won
definitives are green and 1,410-won definitives are red.
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Original information and image from Korea
Post Museum
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