North Korea’s stamp collecting association has begun recruiting paid foreign members, a move seen as part of efforts to increase foreign currency earnings by leveraging the global interest in North Korean stamps.
The Korea Stamp Corporation posted a notice stating that the Korean People’s Stamp Collectors Association (KPHA) now accepts memberships from overseas Koreans and foreigners. The group says it will actively support members’ stamp collecting activities.
The KPHA represents both domestic and international collectors. It facilitates communication among enthusiasts, organizes stamp-related lectures and research sessions, and supports local and international exhibitions. Founded as the Korean Stamp Collectors Federation on December 19, 1963, it rebranded as KPHA on March 15, 2023.
To join, applicants must submit a written application that the association’s executive committee will review. Upon approval, they pay a $5 registration fee and a $10 annual membership fee.
Members receive exclusive benefits, including:
- Priority access to stamp albums and catalogs issued in North Korea
- The opportunity to visit North Korea, pending approval by the association
- Discounted prices on newly issued North Korean stamps
- Privileges at the Korean Stamp Museum and Stamp Exhibition Hall
- A booth at the stamp expos held in North Korea
The membership form requires detailed personal information, including name, gender, date of birth, passport number, occupation, stamp collecting experience, and a photograph.
This marks a transition toward a paid membership model, designed to secure a steady income stream while incentivizing collectors with exclusive access and offers.
Stamps in North Korea serve both ideological and economic purposes. They are used for regime propaganda—featuring national leaders, weapons programs, and political slogans—and as tourism products for earning foreign currency.
Recent releases include stamps celebrating cultural heritage, wildlife, and botanical subjects, expanding beyond typical political themes.
Due to low face value (around 100 KPW, or 0.11111 USD) and limited access to the country, North Korean stamps are highly sought after among international philatelists.
The regime previously promoted stamps at international expos, but the COVID-19 pandemic created a dedicated international shopping site in 2021.
Since January 2025, North Korea has begun printing stamps in Russian, Korean, English, and Chinese, reflecting its growing economic and diplomatic ties with Russia.
One key reason for Pyongyang’s push is that international sanctions do not cover stamps. The new membership program appears part of a broader strategy to expand the stamp economy and attract hard currency from abroad.
