Skilled Workers' Day ceremony marks 17 honorees; electrician Park Byung-joon receives Industrial Service Medal
10 named Master Craftsmen of Korea in power turbines, aircraft maintenance and more
Yeongnam Skilled Technology Promotion Institute to break ground by year-end, aiming for 2029 completion
It was a single ID photo that changed the life of Jung Hyang-ok, an ordinary housewife who sold her wedding jewelry to take her first step into a beauty hagwon. Feeling self-disappointment at the sight of herself — a housewife raising two children while working side jobs — she embraced the belief that "the moment you think it's too late is when you should begin," and threw herself into the beauty industry, a path that would become her lifelong calling.
Jung overcame every obstacle through relentless passion and learning. After years of studying through the night following her day job, she earned the honor of becoming Incheon's first cosmetology master, then obtained a doctoral degree along with 21 certifications, including national technical qualifications, establishing herself as a true beauty convergence expert. She founded Inha Vocational School, trained countless students, won the grand prize three times at the National Competency Standards-based Excellent Vocational Education and Training Competition hosted by the Ministry of Employment and Labor, and took a leading role in advancing K-beauty and serving her community.
To this day, she continues working on the front lines, developing customized treatments and new techniques for her customers, chasing her dream of creating a Korean-style beauty manual and bringing K-beauty to the world. Her more than 35 years of dedication to advancing the beauty industry and passing on skilled techniques were recognized with the Bronze Tower Order of Industrial Service Merit.
Jung Hyang-ok, head of Inha Beauty, who has worked for more than 35 years to advance the beauty industry and pass on skilled techniques, received the Bronze Tower Order of Industrial Service Merit. Park Byung-joon, head of the Park Byung-joon Electrical Research Institute, who contributed to developing energy-saving electrical and equipment technology and supporting small and medium-sized enterprises, received the Industrial Service Medal.
The Ministry of Employment and Labor and the Human Resources Development Service of Korea held the 2026 Skilled Workers' Day ceremony under the theme "The Hands That Built Korea, Leading the Future" at Seoul Dragon City in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, on Wednesday.
Skilled Workers' Day was designated a legal commemorative day in 2023 to raise public awareness of skilled workers and support improvements to their social and economic status. This year's ceremony, the fourth of its kind, drew about 250 people, including government officials, National Assembly members and representatives of skilled workers' organizations.
During the ceremony, 17 people who contributed to advancing skilled techniques received government commendations. The highest honor, the Bronze Tower Order of Industrial Service Merit, went to Jung. After becoming the first person in Incheon to earn the cosmetology master certification, Jung obtained 21 certifications, including national technical qualifications, along with a doctoral degree. She also founded Inha Vocational School, where she trained students, and contributed to spreading National Competency Standards-based vocational education and training as well as advancing K-beauty.
Park, who received the Industrial Service Medal, obtained a total of 17 certifications — including three master craftsman qualifications in electrical equipment — and led more than 60 process and quality improvements at industrial sites. Serving as a Korea Industrial Field Professor, he conducted more than 650 sessions of technology transfer and consulting for small and medium-sized enterprises and mentored young people and students at 79 institutions.
Kim Bo-hyun, a chief engineer at Hyundai Steel, and Seo Wan-seok, head of the 3D Pattern Research Institute, received Presidential Citations. Jang Il-nam, head of the Jang Il-nam Pattern Research Lab; Kim Young-hwan, head of Aifel; and Im Sun-hee, head of AQ Beauty Town, received Prime Minister's Citations. Ten others received citations from the minister of employment and labor.
This year's Master Craftsmen of Korea include 10 people: Kim Yong-kyung, technical department head at Doosan Enerbility (cutting and machining); Jung Su-il, senior technical director at Asiana Airlines (aircraft maintenance and manufacturing); Kim Cheon-guk, senior deputy technical chief at Doosan Enerbility (materials testing); Yu Cheol-jong, deputy general manager at Posco (metal materials manufacturing); and Kang Tae-gu, chief engineer at Samsung Heavy Industries (sheet metal and piping).
Kim, the technical department head, has worked in cutting and machining for 38 years, contributing to achieving technological self-sufficiency in core turbine generator components and to Korea becoming the world's fifth country to localize gas turbine manufacturing. Jung, the senior technical director, has worked in aircraft structural maintenance and manufacturing for 39 years and developed the world's first ruler for aerospace fasteners.
The government also selected 55 outstanding skilled technicians, three skilled technique successors and one model business for encouraging skilled techniques that day. Fifty-five vocational high school students and young technicians were named to the second cohort of a youth skilled-craftsman mentoring program.
The Ministry of Employment and Labor plans to expand the youth skilled-craftsman mentoring project to nurture young skilled workers, while breaking ground on the Yeongnam Skilled Technology Promotion Institute in Ulsan by the end of this year, aiming for completion in 2029.
Kim Young-hoon, minister of employment and labor, said, "K-skilled techniques, which have driven core industries such as shipbuilding, semiconductors, automobiles and steel, are already recognized for their global competitiveness." He added, "We will spare no support to ensure that the passion and dedication of skilled workers leads to a leap forward for Korea's unrivaled skilled techniques."
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