Commencement of Research Service for Muan Convergence Functional Ceramic Industry Special Zone

Promotion of Designation of Regional Specialized Development Zones to Foster the Ceramic Industry

[Muan=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Oh Hwan-joo] Muan County, Jeonnam, held a kickoff meeting on the 22nd for the research project on the establishment and designation of the Muan Convergence Functional Ceramic Industry Special Zone.

The meeting was attended by about 20 stakeholders, including the county governor, heads of related departments, the head of the Ceramic Small Business Specialized Support Center, the head of the Jeonnam Technopark Ceramic Industry Center, and the chairman of the Muan Ceramic Industry Cooperative, among other ceramic-related organization leaders. The session included presentations on the project proposal, project execution plan, project management plan, and a Q&A session with attendees.

Participants presented various opinions such as discovering specialized projects differentiated from other local government special zones, ways to promote mutual development between traditional ceramics and daily-use ceramics, and the creation of a tourism and culture complex industrial park. They agreed to join forces to promote the designation of the special zone, which will serve as a cornerstone for the development of Muan’s ceramic industry.

This research project started this month and is scheduled to be completed by April next year, with the special zone plan covering a five-year period from 2023 to 2027.

The project will focus on the Cheonggye Agricultural and Industrial Complex and the areas of Samhyang-eup, Illo-eup, and Mongtan-myeon, conducting basic status surveys, domestic and international case studies, discovering specialized projects, regulatory exemptions, private investment attraction plans, and establishing a plan for the designation of a regional specialized development special zone.

To efficiently carry out the project, the county plans to form an advisory group mainly composed of experts, as well as a pool of advisory groups from various related fields, and hold advisory meetings on major deliverables at each stage of the project to enhance expertise.

After the special zone plan is established, it will be finalized by collecting opinions through public hearings and local council consultations.

Governor Kim San said, “Muan produces more than 50% of the nation’s ceramics, with ceramic companies employing 10 or more workers accounting for 55% nationwide and over 80% in Jeonnam, leading the core role in the ceramic industry.” He emphasized, “We will strive to have the special zone designation approved by cooperating with government ministries to foster the ceramic industry as a future growth industry and create brand value.”

Meanwhile, Sacheon-ri and Monggang-ri in Mongtan-myeon, Muan, are historically significant places where Onggi (traditional Korean earthenware) and earthenware have been produced since the Three Kingdoms period. Muan is one of the three major birthplaces of ceramics, and Muan Buncheong ware holds high historical and cultural value alongside Gangjin Celadon and Yeoju White Porcelain.

This tradition continues into modern daily-use ceramics, making Muan the only specialized region nationwide with an integrated system covering all processes from raw materials to production and processing. Currently, centered on the Cheonggye Agricultural and Industrial Complex, Muan forms the nation’s largest daily-use ceramic cluster.

Muan=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Oh Hwan-joo gabrielw@asiae.co.kr

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.