Sunchang-gun, Recruiting Fourth Food Artisan

Applications Open Until the 10th for Two Categories: Traditional Foods and Alcoholic Beverages

Sunchang Master Pepper Paste Artisan Kang Sun-ok

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Geon-ju] Sunchang-gun, Jeonbuk Province, is seeking the fourth Food Artisan in the region to carry on the legacy of traditional foods.

According to the county on the 8th, the Food Artisan designation is based on the Food Industry Promotion Act by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, which appoints and nurtures Korean Food Artisans who possess excellent skills in manufacturing, processing, and cooking to preserve and develop traditional foods.

The Food Artisan categories being recruited this time are divided into two sections: traditional foods such as jang (fermented sauces), kimchi, rice cakes and Korean sweets, tea, and alcoholic beverages. Applications can be submitted by visiting the Jang Business Office's Jang Management Division in the county or by mail by the 10th.

Eligibility requires continuous work for more than 20 years in the manufacturing, processing, or cooking of the relevant food, or the ability to preserve and faithfully reproduce the original manufacturing, processing, or cooking methods. Additionally, applicants who have received at least 5 years of skill transfer education from a Food Artisan (2 years if the Food Artisan is deceased) and have worked in the field for more than 10 years are eligible. Meeting any one of these three criteria is sufficient to apply.

So far, 88 people nationwide have been designated as Food Artisans, with 78 currently active after excluding 10 who have passed away and had their designation revoked.

Sunchang-gun also has Food Artisans in the traditional food sector specializing in jang: Artisan Kang Soon-ok and Artisan Jo Jong-hyun. Artisan Jo is the second-generation artisan continuing the family business following the late Artisan Moon Ok-rye.

Applicants submit their forms, which are reviewed by a recommendation committee composed of internal and external experts appointed by the mayors and governors of each city and province. If deemed suitable according to the designation criteria, the application documents and fact investigation reports are forwarded to the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs for recommendation. Subsequently, the National Institute of Agricultural Sciences under the Rural Development Administration conducts on-site inspections and evaluations across six categories, followed by a final review and resolution by the Food Industry Promotion Deliberation Committee of the Ministry. Those who pass the resolution will be designated as Food Artisans this December.

A county official stated, “Only 78 Food Artisans are active nationwide, so passing the selection is not easy,” and added, “We hope that skilled artisans who have preserved tradition will courageously challenge themselves to become Food Artisans, which is a prestigious honor.”