Vintage 1975 Korean Tea Set - Fine China - 8 Pc

Description

1975 KOREAN TEA SET - FINE CHINA - 8 PC SET
Label Translation
:
“This is the presidential award from 1972”
Displayed on the right side of the diamond-shaped label is the company name at the time:  Milyang Dojagi (밀양 도자기).  It actually says diamond on the left side of the label, which may be an indication of the internally-assigned grade of the set “Diamond Fine China” is stamped on the bottom of each piece.
Company History
:
Millyang Bone China Co., Ltd. has a long, interesting history.
The company was founded in May 1939 (during the Japanese colonial period and before the Korean War) under the name Milyang Jedoso (
밀양
제도소
) as a manufacturer of pottery/earthenware.
In 1969, the company name was changed to Milyang Dojagi (
밀양
도자기
).
The company is currently operating as Millyang Bone China Co., Ltd. ((
주
)
밀양
본차이나
) in Gagok-dong (Town/Village), Milyang (City), South Gyeongsang Province (
경남
,
밀양시
,
가곡동
).
They are a mass-producer of commercial porcelain pieces that are readily available in department stores and supermarkets.
Award
:
The award on the label is the Presidential Award received at the 1972 Ministry of Commerce and Industry Outstanding Products Exhibition/Competition.
This Ministry (
상공부
; est. 1948) is now defunct, and its operations currently fall under the Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Energy (
산업통상자원부
).
The award was from 1972, but it is printed on this label for a 1975 product.  Either the company printed the award on various product labels purely out of pride and as a testament to their quality, or this particular set is a reproduction/commemoration of the set that received the award in 1972.  Which is correct is difficult to verify.
The 1972 Presidential Award was a major achievement for the company.  The competition itself is known today as the Korea Design Exhibition (대한민국 디자인 전람회) and in its 52nd year.
At the time of the award in 1972, the government/country was pushing to produce high-quality goods (silverware, pottery, handbags/purses, etc.) that would be suitable for export.  The exhibition was held at Deoksu Palace, the former residence for Joseon-era royalty, and then-President Chung-hee Park attended the event.  (Chung-hee Park was a controversial figure and father of impeached former president Geun-hye Park.)  I am unsure if the Presidential Award was given to multiple products in their respective categories.