KPC3471-3472: Korea-Russia Joint Issue

This year marks the 30th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Korea and Russia. Before establishing diplomatic ties, both countries have maintained a relationship as neighboring countries sharing the border since 1860. Korea Post is issuing the commemorative stamp Korea-Russia Joint Issue featuring the Asiatic black bear and the European brown bear in honor of the 30th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Korea and Russia.

The Asiatic black bear, which bears a white crescent-shaped patch on the chest while its body is covered in black fur, once lived throughout the Korean Peninsula along the Baekdudaegan mountain range. The number of Asiatic black bears, however, declined greatly due to colonial Japan`s policy to “protect the people from dangerous animals” and poaching continued endlessly to collect their bile, which has brought them to the brink of extinction. As the number of Asiatic black bears dropped sharply, Korea’s Ministry of Environment (MOE) designated them as class Ⅰ endangered wildlife in 2005, and has since protected them. Furthermore, the MOE started a restoration project that introduced 6 Asiatic black bears from Russia and released them in Jirisan National Park in 2004, and the project is considered a best practice to restoring biological species. While it is difficult for Asiatic black bears to live more than 20 years in the wild, their lifespan reaches 20-30 years when bred in captivity. They can grow as tall at 130-190 cm, weight as much as 150-200 kg, and run up to 50 km despite their huge body.

The European brown bear, colloquially referred to as “big bear” for their large and heavy body, is a quite familiar animal in Russia. Russia is home to the largest number of European brown bears to the extent that more than 100,000 European brown bears live across the country. They are mostly covered in brown fur, but some have black fur. Their head looks sharper than the Asiatic black bear with their shorter face, broader forehead, and smaller ears. They can grow as tall as 190-280 cm, and weigh as much as 450 kg, usually 400 kg for males while 200 kg for females. The lifespan of European brown bears, which live across Eurasia and North America, is appropriately 50 years.

While Russia is a key country for Korea and its New Northern Policy, Korea is a key country for economic development in the Far East for Russia. Looking at the poise of the Asiatic black bear and European brown bear in this Korea-Russia joint issue, we are picturing a brighter future of more close bilateral exchange.