Gwangju Metropolitan City Seeks ‘Master Craftsmen’ with Top-Level Skilled Expertise

【Financial News, Jeonnam-Gwangju = Reporter Hwang Tae-jong】 Jeonnam-Gwangju Integrated Special City (Gwangju Metropolitan City) is seeking “master craftsmen” with top-level skilled expertise in industrial workplaces and will provide a total of 10 million won in technical incentives over five years.
The initiative aims to recognize technicians with the highest level of expertise who have contributed to the development of skilled trades in the region. It is also intended to boost skilled technicians’ pride while promoting the development and transfer of outstanding technical skills.
Kim Hyung-sung, head of Gwangju Metropolitan City’s Small and Medium Venture Business Division, emphasized, "With the launch of the integrated special city, we will identify and honor outstanding skilled technicians who have led industrial development throughout the region."
According to Jeonnam-Gwangju Integrated Special City on the 15th, the city plans to select up to 10 people as the “2026 Jeonnam-Gwangju Integrated Special City Master Craftsmen” from 38 fields and 92 occupations, and will accept applications through the 18th. Applicants from the former Gwangju area may submit their applications in person or by registered mail to the Labor and Employment Policy Office (111 Naebang-ro, Seo-gu, Jeonnam-Gwangju Integrated Special City), while applicants from the former South Jeolla Province area may do so through the Small and Medium Venture Business Division (16 Mae-an-ro, Haeryong-myeon, Suncheon City, Jeonnam-Gwangju Integrated Special City).
Applicants must have worked in the relevant field for at least 15 years; have lived in Jeonnam-Gwangju Integrated Special City for at least three years or worked at a business located in the city for at least three years; and possess a high level of skilled expertise while having contributed to the development of skilled trades in the region and the advancement of skilled technicians’ status.
To ensure expertise and objectivity, Gwangju Metropolitan City plans to form an evaluation committee of experts. After conducting a first-round document review and a second-round on-site inspection, the city will gather public opinions and select 10 people following a third-round interview, deliberation, and resolution by the Master Craftsmen Deliberation Committee.
Those selected will receive the title “Jeonnam-Gwangju Integrated Special City Master Craftsman,” along with a master craftsman certificate and a commemorative plaque.
In particular, each selected master craftsman will receive 2 million won annually for five years, totaling 10 million won, to support the transfer and advancement of skilled expertise.
Kim Hyung-sung, head of the Small and Medium Venture Business Division, stated, "We will actively support technicians who have devoted many years to industrial workplaces so that they can take pride in their work and pass their skills on successfully to the next generation."

[email protected] Hwang Tae-jong Reporter