Top view (left) and Main Gate (right) of the Korea Hanbok Promotion Institute based in Sangju, Gyeongsangbuk-do, Korea
On July 8, 2024, Dr. Seong-Yong Park, publisher of Arirang Culture Connect, conducted a specialized institutional feature interview at the Korea Hanbok Promotion Institute in Sangju, Gyeongsangbuk-do. This pivotal institution represents the intangible cultural heritage of Korea through Hanbok culture. Established in April 2021 and led by Director Park Hoo-Guen, the Institute aims to preserve and promote traditional Hanbok culture while fostering its industrialization and globalization.
As the sole government-affiliated institution dedicated to Hanbok affairs, the Korea Hanbok Promotion Institute envisions itself as a platform for Hanbok culture and industry. Director Park stated, "Our vision at the Korea Hanbok Promotion Institute is to lead the preservation, transmission, industrialization, and globalization of traditional Hanbok.“
Director Park explaining the Sangju silk, renowned for Hanbok.
Key initiatives include promoting everyday Hanbok wearing during national holidays and advocating for local ordinances supporting Hanbok attire. Recent activities, such as the Hanbok cultural stroll in Sangju, have engaged residents and tourists alike in Hanbok appreciation events.
Regarding international engagement, Director Park highlighted the Global Hat Festival, emphasizing Korea's expertise in traditional headgear like the gat, which was showcased alongside Hanbok during last year's inaugural event. This year, plans include demonstrations by holders of national intangible cultural assets.
Looking forward, the Institute aims to establish regional Hanbok cultural creation centers, enhancing local Hanbok culture through production, distribution, and community-engaged programs. Director Park expressed optimism, stating, "We anticipate that these centers will become hubs for spreading Hanbok culture.“
Exhibition Hall of Various Types of Hanbok at the Institute.
To further globalize Hanbok, joint exhibitions of historical costumes and traditional hat displays from the Goryeo and Joseon periods, along with international Hanbok fashion shows, are planned. Workshops on traditional Hanbok production techniques and cultural seminars are also in development.
Director Park affirmed, "At a time when Korean culture is gaining global recognition, promoting our representative traditional culture, hanbok, is a tremendous honor. Moving forward, we are committed to devising and implementing various strategies for hanbok's globalization.”
Director Park (left) is being interviewed by Publisher Dr. Park (right).
The Korea Hanbok Promotion Institute will continue to pursue diverse projects and collaborations to uphold hanbok culture's legacy, enhance its industrialization, and further its globalization. Establishing a long-term roadmap to introduce hanbok's beauty and value worldwide remains a core objective, including partnerships with international cultural institutions such as Culture Masters (culturemasters.org).
Through these efforts, the Institute aims to elevate global awareness of hanbok's cultural significance and lead the development of the hanbok industry.
2024 ⓒ Arirang Culture Connect All Rights Reserved.