Four Masters of Stonework and Knotting to Be Recognized as Holders

Recognition of Man-guel Yoon, Dongjo Im, Sun-kyung Park, and Geumhee Im Announced
Sooyoung Kim, Holder of Yugi-jang, to be Named Honorary Holder

Four new holders are expected to be recognized in the national intangible heritage categories of Seokjang (stone structure) and Maedeupjang (traditional knotting).

Mr. Mangeol Yoon, who has been announced as a recognized holder of the national intangible heritage "Seokjang (stone structure)." / Cultural Heritage Administration.

On October 7, the National Heritage Administration announced the preliminary recognition of Man-guel Yoon and Dongjo Im as holders of Seokjang (stone structure), and Sun-kyung Park and Geumhee Im as holders of Maedeupjang (traditional knotting).

The two Seokjang candidates have each worked for over 50 years in the field. Man-guel Yoon, a master of stone craft and recognized as an intangible cultural asset of North Gyeongsang Province, has led the preservation and restoration of stone heritage in Gyeongju. Dongjo Im, a master of stone craft and an intangible cultural asset of Gyeonggi Province, played a leading role in the restoration of stone structures within royal palaces.

The two candidates for Maedeupjang have inherited their techniques from master's before them. Sun-kyung Park began as a student of the late Eunsun Choi and has continued the transmission of the craft with honorary holder Bongseop Jeong for 40 years. Geumhee Im learned court knotting, Dahoe (twisted thread cords), and Mangsu (patterned silk thread weaving) from the late Ilsun Cho, and has reproduced relics using these techniques.

Im Geumhee, who has been preliminarily recognized as a holder of the National Intangible Heritage 'Maedeupjang' (traditional Korean knot craft). / National Heritage Administration.

Meanwhile, on the same day, the National Heritage Administration announced the preliminary recognition of Sooyoung Kim, holder of Yugi-jang (Korean bronze ware), as an honorary holder. Kim has been recognized for significant contributions to the transmission of traditional casting techniques since becoming a holder in 2008.

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