The city of Icheon, Gyeonggi Province, announced on August 25 that Yoo Yong-cheol, a master ceramicist from Nokwon Ceramics, has been selected as a Master Craftsman of Korea in the ceramics craft category for 2026.
Yoo was previously named a master ceramicist in Icheon in 2016.
The Master Craftsman of Korea designation is awarded under the Skilled Worker Promotion Act, recognizing individuals who possess the highest level of skilled craftsmanship and have significantly contributed to the advancement of skilled trades and the status of skilled workers.
Selection criteria include the level of skill, contributions to technological advancement, and external activities, with an emphasis on efforts to modernize the craft sector.
Yoo began learning pottery from his father, Yoo Chang-gon, in 1981, and has continued the family tradition for over 40 years. He has not only preserved traditional pottery techniques but has also engaged in research and experimentation to develop his unique artistic style.
Additionally, he studied the thermal efficiency of traditional wood-fired kilns at Myongji University’s Graduate School of Industrial Technology and served as an adjunct professor in the Department of Ceramic Art from 2009 to 2022, sharing his practical experience and skills with students.
Yoo has achieved recognition in various domestic and international competitions and exhibitions, winning awards at the Korea Traditional Craft Competition, the Korea Ceramics Competition, and the Korea Buncheong Competition. Notably, he received the Cultural Heritage Administration Award in 2022 for his work 'Buncheong Inhwa Eomun Ho' at the 47th Korea Traditional Craft Competition.
He has also participated in exhibitions and demonstrations in countries such as China, the United States, Japan, and France, and delivered a guest lecture at Tsinghua University’s Academy of Arts in Beijing in 2019, promoting the excellence of Icheon ceramics. This year, he participated in the official program 'Icheon and Beyond: Space Within Form' at the London Craft Week, co-hosted by the Korean Cultural Center in London and Icheon City.
With this latest recognition, the number of Icheon master ceramicists designated as Master Craftsmen of Korea has increased from five to six.
Mayor Seong Su-seok congratulated Yoo on his selection as a Master Craftsman of Korea, stating, 'The long-standing skills and passion that Yoo Yong-cheol has maintained for over 40 years have culminated in this valuable recognition as Korea's top craftsman.'
Icheon is a hub of Korean ceramics, with approximately 420 workshops producing celadon, white porcelain, buncheong ware, earthenware, and sculptural ceramics, rooted in a long tradition of pottery. The Icheon Ceramic Festival, held annually at the Icheon Ceramic Art Village Yes Park and the Sagi-makgol Ceramic Village, offers experiences in traditional and contemporary ceramics.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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