Gurye County Selects Kim Youngtaek and Kim Jooyong as Its First Master and Artisan

Laying the Foundation for the Succession of Traditional Culture in Korean Traditional Music and Craft Culture

South Jeolla Province’s Gurye County announced on August 4 that it held the “Gurye County Master·Artisan Review Committee” on July 29 and selected Kim Youngtaek as Master in the field of Korean traditional music and Kim Jooyong as Artisan in the field of craft culture.

This selection of Master·Artisan is a new initiative launched by Gurye County this year. The project aims to systematically discover and foster local artisans and artists, and to establish an institutional foundation for the transmission and preservation of traditional culture.

The county formed a review committee consisting of nine external experts in the fields of traditional culture and crafts, and conducted a fair evaluation through document screening and interviews.

Kim Youngtaek, who was selected as Master in the field of Korean traditional music, has contributed to the development of local Nongak for many years and has been dedicated to nurturing younger generations. Kim Jooyong, who was selected as Artisan in the field of craft culture, was recognized for his contributions to the development of local culture by inheriting the tradition of fan craft.

In September, the county plans to present certificates to the selected Masters and Artisans, attach workplace certification plaques, feature them in county promotional media, and provide various benefits such as priority at festivals and exhibitions.

The county expects that the newly selected Master and Artisan will play an important role in continuing the lineage of local traditional culture and widely promoting Gurye’s cultural identity and value.

County Governor Kim Soonho stated, “I hope this selection serves as an opportunity to shed new light on our local cultural assets and to increase interest in traditional culture.”

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