Hyunseok Lee of Gyeongbuk Mechanical Technical High School Selected as "Praiseworthy Master Student Member"... Wins Gold at National Skills Competition for 2 Consecutive Years

Gyeongbuk Mechanical Technical High School announced on September 14 that Hyunseok Lee, a third-year student in the Department of Precision Machinery, was finally selected as a "2026 Praiseworthy Master Student Member."

The "Praiseworthy Master" system is part of the "Special Republic of Korea Master for Technical Talent" initiative, which aims to identify talented young technicians early and support their development into skilled experts. Student members are chosen from among outstanding winners of the National Skills Competition, those who have achieved a high level of national technical qualifications, and students holding patents or inventions in technical fields. The final selection is made by the Ministry of Employment and Labor, after recommendations from the principals of vocational high schools and review by metropolitan and provincial education offices.

Hyunseok Lee (left), a student at Gyeongbuk Technical High School selected as a "Praiseworthy Master Student Member," is taking a commemorative photo with Principal Jaeho Jeon (center).

The growth of Hyunseok Lee was greatly aided not only by the school's standard curriculum but also by systematic technical training within the specialized study club for his major. Through this club activity, he repeatedly honed his basic processing techniques, participated in mentoring and various technical experiences with senior skilled technicians, and continually enhanced his technical capabilities.

Hyunseok Lee reached the top of the National Skills Competition for two consecutive years, winning the gold medal in the prototype modeling category at the 60th National Skills Competition in 2025, and again in the same category at the 61st National Skills Competition in 2026.

Hyunseok Lee stated, "I did not settle for the gold medal, but worked to develop my skills with the goal of becoming an even better technician."

It is also significant that Gyeongbuk Mechanical Technical High School produced a "Praiseworthy Master Student Member" for the second consecutive year, following 2025. Instead of focusing only on short-term competition results, the school has systematically taught the fundamentals of skilled trades, emphasized reflection and repetitive practice through practical training logs, and continued to instill work attitudes that value safety and quality.

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