Holders of "Seongeup-ri Chogajang" Recognized as National Heritage Repair Technicians

Path Opened for Direct Participation in National Heritage Repairs

The Cultural Heritage Administration announced on June 12 that it will recognize the holders and transmission instructors of the Jeju intangible heritage "Seongeup-ri Chogajang" as national heritage repair technicians. With the implementation of the newly amended "List of Intangible Heritage Items Eligible for National Heritage Repair Technician Qualification" on this day, a path has been opened for direct participation in national heritage repairs.

Since May 2017, the Cultural Heritage Administration has been operating a system to recognize intangible heritage holders and transmission instructors as national heritage repair technicians, in order to utilize their outstanding traditional skills at national heritage repair sites. To date, the agency has approved the qualifications of 23 national heritage repair technicians among the holders and transmission instructors of 28 national and provincial intangible heritage items.

The newly added item for qualification, Seongeup-ri Chogajang, is an intangible heritage involving the construction of traditional thatched houses tailored to Jeju's regional characteristics and climate. It is recognized for its long-standing contribution to the preservation and transmission of Jeju's thatched houses. Holders and transmission instructors of woodworking, stonemasonry, and earthwork skills related to this heritage will now be eligible for national heritage repair technician qualification upon completing the required training.

An official from the Cultural Heritage Administration stated, "This goes beyond simply recognizing qualifications, as it expands opportunities for local intangible heritage holders and transmission instructors to participate on-site," adding, "We expect this to become an important turning point in improving the quality of national heritage preservation."