On February 24, Lee Tae-woo, the chair of the Ulsan Iron Smelting Technology Preservation Association, spoke about the intricate division of labor in iron smelting where charcoal carriers transport charcoal, and bellows operators work the bellows to provide air to the furnace. He highlighted that each person's dedicated role in this meticulous process results in quality molten iron, which historically transformed into weapons and agricultural tools, showcasing its fundamental role in Ulsan's industrial roots.

Lee, who became the first president of the association earlier this year, shared his vision of preserving the iron-smelting technology rediscovered through an experimental clay furnace in the Dalcheon Iron Works Site Park, noted for being one of the earliest developed mining sites in the central and southern regions of the Korean Peninsula dating back to the 1st century BC. This historical connection emphasizes the significance of the Ulsan iron smelting tradition, which was reestablished by Lee's predecessor, Lee Eui-rip, after the destruction during the Imjin War and the Manchu invasions, contributing to the mass production of iron since 1657.

However, the iron smelting tradition faced a considerable setback during the Japanese colonial period, leading to its near extinction in 1910 when Lee Eui-rip's descendants lost the mines and were displaced. The legacy of Ulsan's iron smelting then survived only through work songs, with the last recorded versions emerging in the early 1980s. Lee encountered the Ulsan work songs during an industrial festival at the Ulsan Sports Complex, leading to his involvement in the local cultural heritage, which he continues to champion today to ensure the survival of this historical craft.