Mayor Jang Woo Lee of Daejeon: "Selection of 'Giteukhan Master'... Greater Efforts to Expand Skilled Technology Base"

Mun Juhee, a Daeseong Girls' High School student in the confectionery field,
selected as a "Giteukhan Master" under the Ministry of Employment and Labor program

From the left, Daeseong Girls' High School student Moon Juhee, Jang Woo Lee, Mayor of Daejeon (Photo by Daejeon City)

Mayor Jang Woo Lee stated, "The fact that Daejeon produced an outstanding master in the confectionery field in the very first year of implementing this program is the result of fostering a culture that values skilled craftsmanship," adding, "We will continue to make greater efforts to expand the foundation for skilled technology in Daejeon."

On the 30th, Mayor Lee invited and encouraged Mun Juhee, a third-year student at Daeseong Girls' High School, who was selected as a "Giteukhan Master"-a new title awarded for the first time this year under the supervision of the Ministry of Employment and Labor.

Mun Juhee has demonstrated her solid technical skills by winning the gold medal in the confectionery category at the 2025 Daejeon Skills Competition and the 60th National Skills Competition in 2025. In recognition of these achievements, she was selected as the student winner in the 13th Daejeon Metropolitan City Skills Awards in November.

From the left, Moon Juhee, a student at Daeseong Girls' High School, and Jang Woo Lee, Mayor of Daejeon (Photo by Daejeon City)

The "Giteukhan Master" title was introduced this year by the Ministry of Employment and Labor to address policy blind spots that arise before the selection of Outstanding Skilled Technicians and National Masters in Korea, particularly for students attending vocational high schools. The title is awarded in two categories: student members (for first to third-year students) and technical members (for young adults).

In the student member category, candidates are first recommended by their school principal, then undergo a review by the city or provincial office of education, and finally, the Ministry of Employment and Labor conducts document and interview evaluations to make the final selection.

Those selected as Giteukhan Masters this year receive a certificate from the Minister of Employment and Labor, additional points in future National Master selections, and, in particular, the opportunity to participate in one-on-one mentoring activities with current National Masters.

Photo by Daejeon City

Mun Juhee expressed her aspirations, saying, "I hope to further develop the achievements I made this year and represent Korea as a national team member at the 49th WorldSkills Competition to be held in Aichi, Japan, in 2028."

Meanwhile, in Daejeon this year, two individuals were selected as National Masters for 2025, two as regional masters, and one as a Giteukhan Master in the first year of the program's implementation.