The nation's fire fighting system dates from the Yi Dynasty which established a fire department called "Susongkeumhwasa" in 1392. Along with the national modernization carried on successfully under the First, Second and Third Five-Year Economic Development Plans since the early 1960s, the nation's fire fighting institution has been steadily expanded and upgraded.

The fire department is now making a tremendous contribution to the protection of the citizens' lives and properties through its multiple preventive measures geared to cope with increased fire hazards posed by the mushrooming high-rise buildings and large-scale industrial complexes as well as the use of such energy resources as electricity, oil and gas.

The Ministry of Communications, in a move to emphasize the increasing importance of fire prevention for the protection of precious lives and properties, is issuing this special stamp.