Moon Jae-in stamps flying off the shelves
People wait in line to purchase stamps commemorating President Moon Jae-in’s inauguration in front of a post office in Dongjak-gu, Seoul, Thursday. Thursday marked the 100th day since his inauguration. / Yonhap
Postal memorabilia prove a sell-out success
By You Soo-sun
Stamps commemorating the inauguration of Korea’s 19th President Moon Jae-in were released Thursday ― 100 days after he took office. Fans lined up from as early as 5 a.m. to purchase the stamps at one of 284 post offices offering them.
More than 500 people waited in front of the Seoul Central Post Office and one in Gwanghwamun, downtown Seoul, according to the authorities. Sales began at 9 a.m. Online presales shut down early as servers were flooded with orders, with some buying over 100 and others trading them online at higher prices.
President Moon Jae-in's main commemorative stamp
The main commemorative stamp shows Moon Jae-in smiling in front of the Korean Flag meant to symbolize national unity; 5 million of these were issued. In addition, 500,000 small stamp sheets and 20,000 stamp albums have been put out for sale. The regular prices for these are 330 won ($0.29), 420 won, and 23,000 won respectively.
The album was especially popular, being resold online for as high as 110,000 won ― over five times its original price. Responding to the hype, Korea Post, the national postal service, announced it would release an additional 12,000 by the end of the month.
The special collection includes stamps depicting Moon on different occasions, from his adolescence to his first days as President. In one, Moon and first lady Kim Jung-sook are waving on the day of his inauguration; another shows them on their wedding day. One shows Moon in his military uniform, an image that he often used while campaigning.
Many posted on social media while waiting in line, expressing anxiety and excitement. One wrote: “I waited in line from the night of the 16th.” Another wrote, “I won’t even dream of buying the album, but will be satisfied with the commemorative stamp. There are more than 20 people in front of me.”
This isn’t the first time people rushed to buy the so-called “Moon Jae-in goods.” Brands used by the President, including his glasses, shoes, and coffee, have caught the eyes of many and have directly led to increases in sales.
These sales reflect Moon’s popularity among citizens here. Almost 100 days after inauguration, his approval rating still hovers at around 80 percent.