Shinan-gun Implements Private Certification Exam for 'Hongeo Slicing Technicians'

Transforming Shinan-gun into a Young and Vibrant Region Driven by Heuksan Hong-eo Boosting the Local Economy

Shinan County introduced a private certification system for skilled hongeo (fermented skate) slicers and conducted the first exam. ⓒAsia Economy

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Seo Young-seo] Sinan-gun, Jeollanam-do (Governor Park Woo-ryang) announced on the 6th that it introduced a private certification system for 'Hongeo Slicing Technicians' and conducted the first exam on the 3rd at the Heuksan-myeon Welfare Center, hosted by the Sinan-gun Tourism Council Heuksan-myeon Branch.

The 'Heuksan Hongeo Slicing School' was first launched during the 7th local government administration as a public-private cooperative seafood market development project to address the absolute shortage of personnel slicing Hongeo during holidays or periods of high order volume due to aging population, which caused delays in timely supply.

The exam was held for graduates of the first session of the Hongeo Slicing School and those expected to graduate from the second session this year. The certification is divided into beginner, intermediate, advanced, and master levels, evaluating skills in Hongeo dismantling, slicing, and packaging.

The beginner certificate requires dismantling, slicing, and packaging one Hongeo No. 1 (over 6.2 kg) within 120 minutes; intermediate within 100 minutes; advanced requires one Hongeo female No. 1 (over 8.2 kg) within 80 minutes; and master within 60 minutes.

The private certification exam conducted this time was evaluated on-site by judges who immediately determined pass or fail, and all 14 participants who attended out of 17 applicants passed.

Governor Park Woo-ryang said, "Since the report on the Hongeo slicing private certification was released, there have been many inquiries from interested individuals," adding, "Next year, we plan to rename it as the 'Hongeo School' and expand it by dividing the courses into Hongeo slicing and Hongeo pot fishing net sorting. We will also register a private certification for Hongeo pot fishing net sorting technicians in the future to develop 'Heuksan Hongeo' into a global brand."

On Heuksan Island, about 25 billion KRW worth of Hongeo is sold annually at over 50 locations, sustaining the local economy. The public and private sectors are working together to secure sufficient Hongeo slicing personnel and plan to create a young and vibrant Sinan-gun with Heuksan Hongeo.

This year, 16 Hongeo fishing vessels on Heuksan Island are operating with a TAC quota of 583 tons, generating an annual auction amount of 6 billion KRW.