Six Citizens Become First 'Suwon Hwaseong Village Artisans' After Heritage Repair Training

Six Suwon citizens have become the first "Suwon Hwaseong Village Artisans" after successfully passing the national heritage repair craftsman exam for Korean-style plastering. This achievement marks a significant step in the "Suwon Hwaseong Village Artisan Training Program," a pioneering initiative by Suwon City aimed at empowering local residents to become active custodians of the UNESCO World Heritage site.

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The fortress walls, which I passed by daily, now appear completely different. I see every tile and every joint in the mortar with meticulous care. My perspective on our village has completely changed.

Shin Seung-nyeo, a 65-year-old artist and one of the graduates, described her transformed perspective: "The fortress walls, which I passed by daily, now appear completely different. I see every tile and every joint in the mortar with meticulous care." Initially underestimating the rigorous practical exam, which demands immense physical strength and concentration over five and a half hours, Shin persevered. She now gains practical experience at repair sites like the Sajikdan in Seoul, feeling a profound sense of pride in directly protecting cultural heritage.

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At first, I thought it would be easy because I have nimble hands. But the practical exam, where you handle soil, sand, and water while barely breathing for five and a half hours, demanded immense physical strength and concentration.

The program, now in its third year, has produced these six graduates from 15 participants in the latest exam. Currently, only about 750 people nationwide hold the Korean-style plastering craftsman certification. The demanding theoretical and practical aspects of the training mean less than half of the 50 participants from Suwon's first two cohorts completed the course. This model of training residents as specialists for cultural heritage management is unprecedented at the local government level.

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Before, I just called them 'walls,' but now I see them as 'battlements,' and I notice the condition and names of structures like the watchtower walls and the plasterwork.

These newly certified artisans will gain further field experience before officially serving as "Suwon Hwaseong Emergency Repair Personnel" starting in 2027. Their duties will include promptly addressing minor damages on the vast 5.74 km long fortress, such as re-pointing mortar joints, repairing roof tiles, and clearing drainage systems – tasks often too small for professional repair companies. Kim Soo-hyun, head of the Hwaseong Business Office's Research Team, highlighted the program's significance, stating it presents a new community model that moves beyond top-down heritage management, enabling residents to become primary stakeholders in preservation.

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My life itself has changed with the pride of directly protecting cultural heritage.