The "Democratic People's Republic" (DPR) of Korea is one of the most isolated nations on earth – and also one of the most prolific producers of thematic stamps. This illustrated cover was sent by the Korea Stamp Corporation, the state philatelic agency based at Yonggwang Street in the Central District of Pyongyang, which regularly dispatches philatelic covers to collectors worldwide.
Three se-tenant stamps from the sheet "Sports" issued 25th July 2020 are used here, showing Volleyball, Speed Skating and Diving – each at a face value of 50 won. An additional 10-won definitive stamp depicting the North Korean national flag completes the franking to a total of 160 won.
What makes this cover particularly special is a purple framed handstamp reading "Delivery delayed due to COVID-19 / DELAYED". North Korea closed its borders in January 2020, making it one of the first countries in the world to do so in response to the pandemic – and one of the strictest. International mail services were severely disrupted or suspended entirely for an extended period. Now, almost 6 years later, it seems the letters that have been sitting there are finally starting to be mailed out.
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