Korea Craft and Design Foundation, A New Leap for K-Traditional Culture

'2025 Traditional Culture Innovation Voucher' Successfully Concludes
Leading the Modernization and Industrial Revitalization of K-Traditional Culture
Support Across Six Sectors... Driving Innovation and Achievements

Custom packaging for ceramic products developed through the business by Aust Studio. Provided by the Korea Craft and Design Foundation

Through the "Traditional Culture Innovation Voucher" program run by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Craft and Design Foundation, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and small business owners in the traditional culture sector are integrating advanced technologies, resulting in increased sales and successful overseas expansion.

The Ministry and the Foundation operate the Traditional Culture Innovation Voucher program to modernize traditional culture businesses and strengthen their industrial competitiveness. The program provides vouchers that allow SMEs and small business owners in the traditional culture sector to access specialized services in technology, design, and marketing.

Selected companies receive vouchers worth up to 22 million won. With these, companies can purchase services from providers in fields such as information technology (IT), design, and marketing. The areas supported include six categories: technological innovation, business management support, design improvement, new product development, platform establishment, and promotion and marketing.

According to the Foundation, the program aims not only to provide financial support but also to establish a collaborative structure connecting traditional culture companies with specialized service providers. Since its pilot operation in 2022, the number of participating companies and the program's achievements have increased each year.

This year, the program produced results in various fields, including performing arts, crafts, content, and distribution. Cheongmir Ballet Company, which received the grand prize, introduced special material costume technology and three-dimensional (3D) stage video technology to create a ballet inspired by Jeju Haenyeo culture, attracting about 3,000 audience members at an invitational performance in Vietnam.

Aust Studio and Gugugong, which received the excellence award, enhanced their branding and online distribution channels, thereby increasing their brand value. Some of their products saw sales rise by up to 500% compared to before participating in the program. Ilsangisang Co., Ltd. completed a product inspired by the traditional magpie through research and development collaboration, participated in Maison & Objet in Paris, France, and secured export potential worth approximately 50,000 dollars.

In addition, Artistmade improved the production process for hanbok work uniforms using generative artificial intelligence (AI), and Hangyeol Bookstore entered the education market by creating traditional fairy tale content for digital platforms.

The Foundation explained that this year, it strengthened support for promotion, marketing, and platform establishment, which has led to exports and investment attraction for participating companies.

Jang Donggwang, President of the Korea Craft and Design Foundation, stated, "The Traditional Culture Innovation Voucher program supports traditional culture businesses in establishing a sustainable industrial structure through technology and collaboration," and added, "We will continue to provide support to strengthen the competitiveness of the traditional culture industry."

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