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Busan Lacquerware Artisan Yoon Seong-ryong Selected as “Busan Craft Master”

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Busan Metropolitan City (Mayor Park Heong-joon) announced today (October 15) that Yoon Seong-ryong, representative of Yoonseul Lacquerware, who has contributed to the advancement of local craft culture by preserving traditional techniques in the field of lacquerware for many years, has been selected as the 2025 Busan Craft Master in the lacquerware category.

The “Busan Craft Master” title is an honorary designation awarded to citizens who possess the highest level of craftsmanship in the craft culture industry and have contributed to the advancement of craft techniques and the social status of artisans over an extended period.

Since 2013, Busan has selected a total of 20 Craft Masters through document reviews, on-site evaluations by external experts, and comprehensive deliberations by the Busan Craft Culture Industry Review Committee.
Selected Craft Masters receive various benefits, including the honorary title of Craft Master, a 10 million won grant for product development and production, and a 50 percent discount on parking fees at public parking facilities.

This year’s honoree, Yoon Seong-ryong, representative of Yoonseul Lacquerware, has overcome physical challenges and devoted his life solely to the art of najeonchilgi (mother-of-pearl lacquerware), promoting the excellence and beauty of traditional craftsmanship both domestically and abroad.

Guided by the conviction that “Mother-of-pearl lacquerware may have once destroyed me, but it is also the only thing that revived me,” Yoon has continued his artistic endeavors, appearing on major broadcasting networks such as KBS, MBC, and EBS to spread the value of traditional Korean crafts.

He has also served as a judge for the lacquerware competition at the Busan Skills Competition for the Disabled and has received numerous awards, including arts prizes and ministerial commendations, becoming a model example of sharing and artistic perseverance in the face of adversity.

The city expects this year’s selection to further enhance the pride of local artisans and to encourage public interest in the preservation of traditional skills and the revitalization of the craft industry.
For example, last year’s honoree in the textile category, Master Park Jeong-suk, utilized her grant to produce fabric using traditional dyeing techniques and showcased her work at the Busan Traditional Craft Preservation Association’s annual exhibition, demonstrating the ongoing impact of the Craft Master program.

Meanwhile, the city annually selects “Busan Honorary Masters” across six categories—wood and lacquer, ceramics, metal, textiles, paper, and other crafts—recognizing artisans with the highest level of craftsmanship.

Eligible candidates must:

• ●Have engaged in the craft culture industry for more than 15 years and have resided in Busan for at least 10 years as of the application date.

• ●Be recognized as possessing the highest level of craftsmanship in the field.

• ●Have made significant contributions to the advancement of the craft culture industry or the social status of artisans.

However, individuals who have already been designated as a National Master Craftsman or an Intangible Cultural Heritage holder are excluded from consideration.

Mayor Park Heong-joon stated, “This year’s honoree, Yoon Seong-ryong, is a true master who has preserved the tradition of mother-of-pearl lacquerware despite personal challenges. His exceptional skills and artistic spirit have greatly contributed to the development of Busan’s craft culture. The city will continue to strengthen the pride of local artisans and promote the sustainable growth of traditional craftsmanship through the Craft Master program.”