[Jo Yongjun's Manri Yeo-dam] Controversy Over New Ceramic Village Development, Gongju City Must Take Responsibility

[Asia Economy Reporter Yongjun Cho, Travel Specialist]

Gyeryongsan Ceramic Village Built Over 30 Years

Facing Existential Crisis with New Ceramic Art Complex Development

Gongju City Must Devise Coexistence Measures with Ceramic Village

Sangsin-ri in Gongju City, Chungnam Province, is a village nestled deep on the northern slopes of Gyeryongsan Mountain. Compared to the popular Donghaksa or Gapsa temples, which attract large crowds, this mountain valley sees far fewer visitors. Thirty years ago, in 1992, about ten young ceramic artists settled here. It was an isolated and barren place with no access roads or electricity. The reason these artists chose this location was singular: to revive the tradition of Gyeryongsan iron-painted buncheong pottery, which had been interrupted since the Japanese invasions of Korea (Imjin War). Historically, buncheong pottery fired with clay from Gyeryongsan was so renowned that it was known as "Gyeryongsan Buncheong." Alongside Sanggam celadon from Gangjin, Jeonnam, and blue-and-white porcelain from Gwangju, Gyeonggi Province, it is considered one of Korea’s three great ceramics.

On this harsh land, the ceramic artists carried clay themselves and built brick workshops and living spaces. They shared parts of their purchased land as communal areas, where a wood-fired kiln and a joint exhibition hall were established. This allowed tourists to visit the studios anytime or try making pottery in the experience workshops.

The young artists’ passion for their craft continued day and night. They worked the clay and turned the wheel to recreate the brilliance and excellence of iron-painted buncheong pottery. As a result of their collaboration, the Gyeryongsan iron-painted buncheong, which had been lost for over 400 years, began to shine again. The once barren land gradually became known to the world through these young artists. When Pope Francis visited Korea in 2014, the gift he received was an iron-painted buncheong moon jar made in the Gyeryongsan Ceramic Village.

Now, after 30 years, the Gyeryongsan Ceramic Village faces an existential crisis. Although it revived Gyeryongsan Buncheong, its entire history is at risk of disappearing.

This is because Gongju City is promoting the creation of a ceramic art complex named after Lee Sam-pyeong, who transmitted white porcelain technology to Japan. With a budget of 15.1 billion KRW, the city plans to build a complex ceramic cultural arts center by 2024, including the Lee Sam-pyeong Memorial Hall, a transmission center, and an experience hall.

The city emphasizes that the ceramic art complex will serve a different function from the existing ceramic village and act as a catalyst to attract tourists to the village. However, the people of the ceramic village cannot accept the idea of building another overlapping ceramic complex when the village has successfully established itself over 30 years.

Unlike the Gyeryongsan Ceramic Village, which is located deep in the mountains, the ceramic art complex will be built at the entrance to Donghaksa, making its accessibility much better and clearly threatening the village’s survival.

Jung Soon-ja, head of the Gyeryongsan Ceramic Village, said, “We are fools who only touch clay, but we know what the right path is.” She added, “If the Lee Sam-pyeong art complex is built right next to the ceramic village, it will not be a catalyst for the village’s development as the city claims, but rather a catalyst for its decline.”

This project recently received a unanimous disqualification for investment suitability from all 12 members at the third local finance investment review held by Chungnam Province. They judged that the existing Gyeryongsan Ceramic Village, which has maintained the legacy of iron-painted buncheong pottery in Sangsin-ri for 30 years, would inevitably collapse as it is forced into competition.

Following the disqualification, if Gongju City wants to request investment approval again from Chungnam Province, it must undergo a one-year grace period. The city plans to reconsider the project and explore various options for re-promotion.

It is not too late. Before re-promotion, Gongju City must put an end to the controversy over the new ceramic village development that only fuels local discord and conflict. The city should engage in dialogue and communication with the residents of Sangsin-ri to find ways to coexist. Now is the time to consider what benefits the development of iron-painted buncheong pottery and Gongju’s tourism industry.