Learn traditional ironmaking at NRICH's summer camp

Some 40 participants will get a chance to learn about Korea's traditional ironmaking through hands-on experiences, lessons

A participant in last year's ironmaking camp gets hands-on experience using a hammer and anvil. (National Research Institute of Cultural Heritage)

The National Research Institute of Cultural Heritage and the Korea Cultural Heritage Association are jointly recruiting participants for a special ironmaking camp to be held next month.

Applications for the three-day camp, slated for Aug. 20-22 at the Jungwon National Research Institute of Cultural Heritage in Chungju, North Chungcheong Province, will be open from Monday through July 31.

The camp is open to anyone interested in ironmaking, regardless of nationality. While the program will be conducted in Korean, NRICH will provide English-language versions of the presentations to help non-Korean speakers better understand the content, an official at the institution told The Korea Herald. The program is free of charge.

A total of 40 participants will be selected, and the final list will be announced on Aug. 4 via NRICH's official website.

The ironmaking camp is an educational program where participants can learn about Korea's traditional ironmaking through hands-on experiences, while also exploring discoveries from archaeological excavations and experimental research in the field. The two institutions have jointly hosted the program every year since August 2021.

Day two will feature a deep dive into ironmaking sites from the Goryeo Dynasty (918–1392), an exploration of traditional pig iron production techniques and a visit to Korea's first Iron Museum in Eumseong.

On the final day, participants will attend a lesson on how ancient ironmaking techniques are being revived today.