It was in March 1923 that "Saketong-hoe," a children's organization formed by Bang Jong-hwan, a writer of juvenile stories whose pen name is Sopa, designated May 1 as Children`s Day in a move to help elevate children`s status. The day has since been observed with various programs for children. Also in a measure to emphasize the importance of the sound growth of children as the nation's future generation, Saektong-hoe, the first such organization in this country, coined in the same year a new Korean word "orini," meaning children, which is now in wide use. The observance of the day, however, was suspended in 1939 under the oppression of the Japanese colonialists. It was resumed following the liberation in 1945.

In 1956, the government formally designated May 5 as Children`s Day. The following year brought the proclamation of the Children's Charter, which stipulates basic responsibilities of the state, society and individual homes for the promotion of children's welfare.

To highlight the significance of the 50th Children's Day, which is hoped to mark an occasion to redouble the nation's effort to ensure the health growth of our children, the Ministry of Communications is issuing this commemorative postage stamp.