Park Kiyoung of Chungnam Provincial Council Proposes Establishment of 'Gongju Ceramic Museum'

Call for Establishment of Museum to Inherit Gongju's Ceramic Culture
"Urgent Need to Reevaluate the Achievements of Lee Sampyeong"

Ki Young Park, Chungnam Provincial Councilor

Park Kiyoung, a member of the Chungnam Provincial Council (Gongju 2, People Power Party), has proposed the establishment of the 'Gongju Ceramic Museum' to preserve the identity of Gongju's ceramic culture and enhance the region's tourism competitiveness.

During a five-minute speech at the 2nd plenary session of the 360th temporary meeting of the provincial council, Park stated, "It is a significant cultural loss that Gongju, with its long history and tradition, does not have a ceramic museum," emphasizing the need for its establishment.

He pointed out, "During the Imjin War and Jeongyu War, Lee Sampyeong, a potter from Gongju, went to Japan and is now revered as the founder of Arita ceramics in Saga Prefecture. In Japan, memorial stones and festivals honoring Lee Sampyeong are held every year, but in his hometown of Gongju, there is not even a space to commemorate him."

He continued, "Although there are local artists who are carrying on the excellent ceramic traditions of Gongju, such as Cheolhwa Buncheong ware, there is a lack of complex cultural spaces for exhibition, education, and hands-on experiences, which limits their activities."

Mentioning the recently held 'Banpo Cultural Development Forum,' Park stressed, "Local residents and ceramic artists have suggested establishing a ceramic museum at the foot of Gyeryongsan Mountain, and institutional support for this is urgently needed."

He added, "The museum should go beyond being a simple exhibition space and become a cultural hub for ceramic education, research, and hands-on experiences. Now is the time for everyone to come together to preserve the identity of Gongju's ceramic culture and to revive the value of Chungnam's ceramic culture."