Gochang-gun and Jeonbuk National University Confirm Establishment of Regular Department of Hanok Studies

The long-standing wish of Gochang-gun, Jeonbuk Province, to establish a regular department of Hanok Studies at Jeonbuk National University Gochang Campus has been confirmed.

On the 28th, according to Gochang-gun and Jeonbuk National University, the establishment of a regular Hanok Studies department at Jeonbuk National University Gochang Campus was announced as of this day.

The establishment of a regular department for Korean Traditional Houses at Jeonbuk National University Gochang Campus has been confirmed.
[Photo by Gochang-gun]

Earlier, County Governor Shim Deok-seop made efforts to organize a regular Hanok Studies department at the Gochang Campus by signing an MOU with Jeonbuk National University shortly after taking office.

Jeonbuk National University also agreed with the promotion of a Hanok-specialized campus and proceeded with procedures such as the Enrollment Adjustment Committee, Academic Affairs Committee, Faculty Association, and Evaluation Committee.

As the contract department (mainly for industrial workers) of the regional base university is expanded and reorganized into a regular department, the ripple effect on the Gochang community is enormous.

First, starting with the recruitment of freshmen for the 2024 academic year, nationwide student recruitment will be possible, raising expectations for an increase in the youth population.

In particular, since the closure of Korea Polytechnics Gochang Campus in February 2011, this will become an attractive higher education institution that can retain Gochang high school seniors who had been leaving for other regions.

Furthermore, Hanok architecture is a representative labor-intensive industry, and it is expected to have a significant ripple effect on increasing skilled technical personnel and related jobs, as well as fostering companies producing Hanok materials such as wood and loess bricks.

The county is promoting the creation of a Hanok folk village with stories linked to the town fortress as a pledged project.

The Hanok hotel where Hallyu stars Rain and Gong Yoo stayed is so popular that reservations are fully booked for half a year, and the Sin Jae-hyo Pansori Park, which reproduces the nearby Dongrijungsa, is preparing for its opening ceremony on May 14. A folk play experience center and Hanok guesthouses are also scheduled to be established sequentially.

Governor Shim Deok-seop said, “With the establishment of a regular Hanok Architecture department at Jeonbuk National University Gochang Campus, we will continue the tradition of Hanok architecture, highlight Gochang’s traditional image, and develop it into a mecca of Hanok.”

He added, “We will build a system of higher education institutions within the region to promote the influx of young people and create related jobs, thereby contributing to regional economic development.”

Gochang = Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Kim Jae-gil baekok@asiae.co.kr

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