South Korea First Issue, 5 Mun Rose

South Korea · 1884 · 5 Mun

This is the first postage stamp issued by Korea, part of the 'Mun' series. The design features the denomination '5 Mun' in the center, surrounded by an ornate frame. At the top is the Korean mon, a symbol representing the Joseon dynasty, and at the bottom is the Taegeuk (yin-yang) symbol, a core element of the Korean flag.

Issued by the Joseon Dynasty's postal service, which was established with American assistance but was short-lived due to a political coup (Gapsin Coup) just weeks after its inauguration. Most of these stamps never saw postal use.