Uijeongbu City Selects Two Masters for 2025... Boosting Pride of Small Business Owners with Craftsmanship

Uijeongbu City in Gyeonggi Province (Mayor Donggeun Kim) has selected two small business owners with outstanding craftsmanship and technical skills as the "2025 Uijeongbu City Masters" and held a certificate presentation ceremony on the 30th.

Mayor Donggeun Kim awarded the master craftsman certificates to master craftsmen Kyungae Park (right in the photo) and Gapsu An, who were selected as the "2025 Uijeongbu City Masters" on the 30th, and took a commemorative photo together. Provided by Uijeongbu City

This year, Kyungae Park was selected as the master craftsman in the food processing (rice cake manufacturing) category, and Gapsu An was chosen in the confectionery and bakery category. Kyungae Park has inherited and developed traditional rice cake manufacturing techniques while running "Bokdeok Mill" and the Korean caf? "Damdaheon." Gapsu An has been recognized for his excellent skills and quality in the confectionery and bakery field for many years through "Essenbrot."

The selection of the masters was finalized by the Uijeongbu City Master Craftsman Selection Committee, which convened on the 17th, after document screening and on-site evaluations. The selected masters received certificates, and each will be awarded a one-time technical encouragement grant of 1 million won.

The city plans to use the master craftsman system to elevate the status of small business owners with craftsmanship within the local community and to establish a foundation for the continued transmission of outstanding local skills.

In particular, this year’s selection of masters from fields closely related to citizens’ daily lives, such as traditional foods and bakery, is expected to have a positive impact on the local commercial district and neighborhood economy.

Mayor Donggeun Kim stated, "The Uijeongbu City Master title represents the culmination of skills and experience accumulated over many years in the field," and added, "We will continue to support small business owners with craftsmanship so that they are respected and can grow both their technical and management capabilities."