Uiseong Match Factory Rotary Press Designated as North Gyeongsang's Only 'Preliminary Cultural Heritage'

Traces of Industry Become Cultural Assets

The Uiseong Automatic Matchstick Manufacturing Machine (Uiseong Match Factory Rotary Press), a representative modern and contemporary industrial heritage of Uiseong County, was the only facility in North Gyeongsang Province to be selected as a 'Preliminary Cultural Heritage.' This marks a new chapter for the region's industrial heritage restoration policy.

Uiseong Automatic Matchbox Manufacturing Machine Selected as Modern and Contemporary Preliminary Cultural Heritage

At the certificate award ceremony held at the National Palace Museum on December 1, Uiseong County received official recognition from the National Heritage Administration, significantly raising the national profile of the Uiseong Match Factory regeneration project.

The event was attended by five officials, including the Director of Tourism and Welfare of Uiseong County, who engaged in discussions with the head of the National Heritage Administration and other distinguished guests. They also participated in official activities such as viewing the Preliminary Cultural Heritage photo exhibition and receiving the certificate of selection.

During the subsequent academic conference, Uiseong County presented on the technological and historical value of the automatic matchstick manufacturing machine, the necessity of its preservation, and strategies for local utilization, drawing considerable attention from officials of other local governments and cultural heritage experts. Uiseong County's strategy to transform industrial heritage into cultural and tourism resources was especially highlighted at the event.

Participants shared ideas on preservation directions and utilization plans for preliminary cultural heritage in each region, agreeing to strengthen practical management systems for cultural assets that must be passed on to future generations.

Kim Jusu, Governor of Uiseong County, stated, "The selection as a Preliminary Cultural Heritage is a meaningful achievement, officially recognizing the value of the rotary press not just as an industrial machine but as a future heritage asset. Through systematic restoration and preservation, we aim to shed new light on Uiseong's modern and contemporary industrial history and develop it into a valuable cultural asset for the region."

The transformation of the match factory's rotary press, once a symbol of industrialization, into a cultural heritage site after decades, demonstrates the enduring power of local memory. This achievement by Uiseong County is further evidence that industrial heritage can embody both regional identity and cultural competitiveness.

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