Daejeon, South Korea – Daejeon City has once again emerged as the top performer in South Korea's Research and Development (R&D) Special Zone evaluation, securing the sole "Excellent" rating for the fourth consecutive year. The city's outstanding performance was recognized in a recent assessment conducted by the Ministry of Science and ICT, which evaluated the contributions of five special zones, including Daejeon, Gwangju, Daegu, Busan, and Jeonbuk.

The evaluation primarily assessed the local government's role in fostering the growth of each special zone, with a particular focus on strategic planning, infrastructure development, enterprise nurturing, and technology commercialization. Daejeon city was commended for its proactive approach to developing tailored industry-specific strategies, implementing supportive policies, and establishing a robust innovation ecosystem.

A key factor contributing to Daejeon's success is the city's establishment of the Daejeon Investment Finance, a pioneering initiative aimed at providing targeted financial support to companies operating within the Daedeok Research Complex. This strategic move has played a pivotal role in accelerating technology commercialization and attracting investment to the region.

As a result of its exceptional performance, Daejeon City will receive a substantial government grant of 30.45 billion won. The city plans to allocate these funds towards enhancing the commercialization of research outcomes from the Daedeok Research Complex and scaling up innovative enterprises within the special zone.