SEONGNAM — The city of Seongnam is looking for veteran artisans keeping local traditional crafts alive.
Seongnam said on the 15th that it will accept applications from the 21st to the 23rd for the title of 2026 Seongnam Master Craftsman, the program's fourth master craftsman designation. Applications are open in six fields: woodwork and lacquerware, ceramics, metalwork, textiles, paper and other crafts. One applicant will be selected as master craftsman after screening.
Applicants must have worked directly in the folk craft industry for at least 15 years and must have been continuously registered as Seongnam residents for at least 10 years as of the application date. Those already named a Korea Master Craftsman or designated as an intangible cultural heritage holder are excluded.
Applicants must submit an application form, a record of achievements, a description of their skills, three photographs of representative works and a letter of recommendation from a craft-related organization or a district office head. Documents must be submitted in person to the Corporate Innovation Division on the eighth floor of Seongnam City Hall. Forms and details are available on the public notice board of the city's website.
After the application period closes, the city will review documents to assess skill levels, contributions to the development of the craft industry and service to the local community. It will then conduct on-site screening of working conditions and the quality of the applicant's work before a craft master review committee makes the final decision.
The result will be announced in December. The selected artisan will receive the title of Seongnam Master Craftsman, a certificate and a plaque, along with a one-time grant of 5 million won ($3,500) that can be used to develop craft techniques, improve quality and expand sales channels.
Seongnam has selected a master craftsman every two years since 2016 to preserve traditional craft skills and support outstanding artisans. Three artisans have held the title so far: Hong Yeon-hwa, a paper cord craft artisan; Jang Tae-yeon, a lacquer specialist; and Jang Chun-cheol, a mother-of-pearl lacquerware specialist. No one applied in 2022, and no title was awarded in 2024 because no applicant met the screening criteria.