Lee Jae-sun, Holder of Seokjang, Appointed Chairman of the National Intangible Cultural Heritage Crafts Association

"Promoting Training of Graduates: Considering Various Approaches"

The National Intangible Cultural Heritage Crafts Association announced on the 15th that Lee Jae-soon, a holder of the National Intangible Cultural Heritage Stone Mason, was elected as the new chairman. The inauguration ceremony is scheduled to take place on the 20th at 3 p.m. at the Folk Theater Pungnyu in the National Intangible Cultural Heritage Training Center in Gangnam-gu, Seoul.

Seokjang Lee Jae-sun

Chairman Lee is a craftsman who has been working with and refining stone for over half a century. He learned stone craft techniques from his maternal uncle and has carried on Korea's unique stone culture for decades. Recognized for his outstanding skills, he became the first stone mason to be designated a holder of the National Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2007. He has repaired and restored several cultural heritages, including the National Treasure Sungnyemun Yukchuk (陸築, a large stone structure built for the fortress gate), the Iksan Mireuksaji Stone Pagoda, and the Wonju Beopcheonsaji Jigwang Guksatap. Last year, he was awarded the Bogwan Cultural Medal as a contributor to cultural heritage protection.

Chairman Lee expressed his aspirations, saying, "I will consider various ways to support traditional craftsmen and revitalize the training of successors, and strive to ensure that artisans feel pride and dedicate themselves to transmission activities." The National Intangible Cultural Heritage Crafts Association was established in 1973 to foster and develop traditional crafts.