North Korean stamps go on sale in South

According to Stanley Gibbons Monthly, the controversy regarding the disputed Dokdo islets was rekindled earlier this month following South Korea's decision to sell North Korean stamps entitled "Dokdo's ecological environment".

"Japan reacted furiously two years ago when South Korea produced a set of stamps featuring Takeshima, one of the two islets which have historically been claimed by both South Korea and Japan."

"North Korea later joined the fray by issuing a set of stamps based on an 18th century map that identifies the islets as Korean. The South refused to sell them on that occasion, but they seem to be taking a different stance and allowing the sale of this latest issue."

To read more on how philately has become a weapon in a territorial tiff, click here.