Mayor Lee Jang-woo Announces 3-Year Achievements and Future Tasks of the 8th Popularly Elected Term

Daejeon Mayor Lee Jang-woo held a press conference at City Hall on the 24th to explain the achievements and future tasks of the Daejeon municipal administration, marking the third anniversary of the 8th popularly elected term. He stated, "The past three years have been a time of pioneering a path no one else had walked." He further emphasized, "In the remaining year, I will complete the grand transformation of the 8th popularly elected term with a commitment to seeing it through to the end."

Mayor Lee summarized the achievements so far with four keywords: 'First,' 'Best,' 'Most,' and 'Longest.' He also revealed his intention to pursue future tasks under the directions of 'Final,' 'Optimal,' 'Maximum,' and 'Shortest.'

 
First, under the keyword 'First,' Daejeon took its first step as a global city by establishing the Global Innovation Cities Network (GINI), the world's first economic science city alliance. It also became the first in South Korea to be designated as part of the Space Industry Cluster Tripartite System, leading to the full-fledged development of the DaejeonSat nanosatellite and the establishment of a space technology innovation talent training center. Furthermore, Daejeon was designated as a National Advanced Strategic Industry Bio Specialization Complex and a Global Innovation Special Zone. With the launch of the Defense Semiconductor Project Group, Daejeon secured the foundation to grow into a defense industry hub city. Daejeon Investment Finance, the first public investment specialized institution in a local area, was established, and Daejeon City secured two Opportunity Development Special Zones, expanding the foundation for corporate growth. It was selected as the first Educational Development Special Zone pilot area in Korea and the Youth Tomorrow Foundation was launched. Daejeon also achieved leading results in welfare policies, including marriage incentives for young couples (the first among metropolitan cities), free urban railway benefits for families with two children (the first nationwide), and free public transportation for seniors aged 70 and above. In terms of transportation infrastructure innovation, Daejeon is writing new history with the introduction of the first hydrogen electric tram and a three-car articulated new public transportation system in Korea, the selection of the first Metropolitan Express Railway (CTX) outside the Seoul metropolitan area, and the nationwide confirmation of the first Urban Convergence Special Zone and Daejeon Station Future-type Transit Center. The 'Kkumdori Ramen,' utilizing the local character, was the first attempt of its kind in Korea.

 
For 'Best' achievements, Daejeon ranked first among metropolitan cities for five consecutive months in the city brand reputation index and first in resident life satisfaction nationwide for six consecutive months, showing remarkable indicators of citizen perception. Its economic growth rate ranked second nationwide after Seoul, and per capita personal income ranked third. In the science and technology fields, it ranked first outside the Seoul metropolitan area in most categories. Additionally, Daejeon ranked first nationwide in both marriage count and growth rate, third nationwide in the number of births, second nationwide in youth life satisfaction, and had the lowest child accident mortality rate nationwide. In culture and tourism, Daejeon received nationwide attention, including the Grand Prize in the Content Category at the Korea Festival Expo and first place in the metropolitan city category at the International Tourism Fair. It also achieved first place nationwide in summer vacation satisfaction and living environment items such as prices, cleanliness, and hygiene.

 
For 'Most' achievements, the number of listed companies in Daejeon reached 66, ranking third among metropolitan cities, and its market capitalization was 68 trillion won, ranking second. Bio-기업 technology exports recorded an unprecedented 12.5376 trillion won, and foreign direct investment was the second highest outside the Seoul metropolitan area. Domestic and international corporate investment attraction reached 91 companies, achieving a total of 2.4794 trillion won. The creation of industrial complexes, including general and national industrial complexes, was also at an all-time high. This year's support budget for small business owners was 108.2 billion won, the largest among metropolitan cities, and health check-up and rental support were also at the highest level nationwide. The 0-시 Festival, which recorded the largest number of visitors for a single event since the 1993 Daejeon Expo, saw 2 million visitors. Support for senior welfare centers' food expenses, daycare center operating expenses, and education expenses also reached unprecedented levels. The total project cost for Urban Railway Line 2 doubled, and it is being promoted as the world's longest catenary-free tram system.

 
Daejeon's core long-standing projects, which had been stalled for the 'Longest' periods, are being resolved one after another in the 8th popularly elected term. The Urban Railway Line 2 Tram, waited for 28 years, has begun construction, and the Yuseong Complex Terminal, which had been drifting for 15 years, is scheduled for completion by the end of this year. The preliminary feasibility study for the Sajunggyo-Hanbat Bridge road construction, a 18-year-old issue, passed, and the Jangdae Intersection, a 14-year aspiration, will be promoted as an立体化 project. After 50 years, the Daejeon Marshalling Yard was converted into an urban railway立体化 project, and the modernization of the sewage treatment plant, delayed for 36 years, and the second waste landfill, neglected for 23 years, have both begun full-scale construction.

In addition, major issues such as the opening of the Dongdaejeon Library (a 35-year aspiration), the promotion of the Daejeon Station Area Complex Development (discussed for over 20 years), the deregulation of Daedeok Innopolis (after 50 years), and the restoration of the old City Hall, Temi Library, and Soje-dong official residences (forgotten for nearly 100 years) are being rapidly resolved. As these highly anticipated projects, which took a long time to materialize, are completed one by one, Daejeon is solidifying the foundation for a new leap forward.

 
The tasks to be pursued over the next year are focused on expanding and completing the aforementioned achievements. The 'Final' goals include:

Administrative integration of Daejeon and Chungnam
Second relocation of public institutions in innovation cities
Establishment of a space technology innovation talent training center as part of the Space Industry Cluster Tripartite System
Establishment of a Semiconductor Comprehensive Research Institute
Creation of a Defense Innovation Cluster and a Robot Drone Support Center
Creation of a Second Culture and Arts Complex
Construction of the Lee Jong-soo Ceramics Museum
Promotion of the Bomulsan Project
Creation of the Southwest Comprehensive Sports Town
Creation of the Norubul Local (National) Garden
Construction of Social Welfare Centers and Senior Citizens' Centers
Construction of the Third Municipal Library
Introduction of a new public transportation system (3-car articulated vehicles)
Construction of a National Safety Experience Center
Relocation of the Daejeon Correctional Facility Mayor Lee stated his intention to achieve substantial progress in these tasks within his term.
 
The 'Optimal' strategies include:

Creation of a Daedeok Quantum Cluster
Construction of a defense semiconductor fab and creation of a defense materials, parts, and equipment specialized complex
Creation of a National Advanced Strategic Industry Bio Innovative New Drug Specialized Complex and an Advanced Bio-Medical Innovation District
Construction of a Daedeok Innopolis Re-creation Convergence Research Innovation Center and Majungmul Plaza
Creation of a Webtoon IP Advanced Cluster and a Convergence Special Visual Content Cluster
Creation of a Soje-dong Modern Historical and Cultural Space
Restoration of the first Daejeon City Hall and establishment of the Daejeon Studies Development Center and the Second Daejeon Literature Museum
Creation of a Patriotism Park
Establishment of a Beauty Industry Promotion Institute
Creation of an Urban Convergence Special Zone
Re-creation of the Jaun-dae space
Premiumization of Hanbat Arboretum
Expansion of the Kkumssi Family characters These initiatives will serve as the foundation to elevate industry, culture, and city brand to a world-class level.
 
The 'Maximum' goals include:

Expansion of Daejeon Investment Finance to 500 billion won
Additional designation of Opportunity Development Special Zones
Expansion of Startup Parks
Expansion of ultra-low interest special funds for small business owners and self-employed individuals, and support for labor costs, rent, and communication fees
Expansion of shared delivery systems for traditional markets and shopping districts, and construction of parking lots for small business owners in the old city center
Expansion of the 0-시 Festival
Expansion of public sports facilities
Construction of a dedicated fencing arena
Creation of Bomunsan Arboretum and Natural Recreation Forest
Creation of Daecheongho Rose Garden
Support for daycare center operating expenses and necessary expenses
Support for youth encounters and provision of marriage incentives
Youth support such as jeonse funds and supply of Daejeon-type youth housing
Creation of an autonomous driving commercialization zone
Construction of an Urban Air Mobility (UAM) terminal
Expansion of Tashu (public bicycle sharing) to 7,500 units Mayor Lee stated that he would not stop at existing records but would further expand these tasks to their maximum scale.
 
Finally, there is a strong will to swiftly complete the long-standing projects within the 'Shortest' period. This includes ensuring the rapid completion of numerous key projects such as:

Creation of a Nano-Semiconductor National Industrial Complex
Creation of an Ansan Defense Industrial Complex
Hagi District Special Zone Development Project
Daejeon Industrial Complex Regeneration Project
Completion of Yuseong Complex Terminal
Construction of Yudeunggyo Bridge
Construction of Urban Railway Line 2 Tram
Promotion of Chungcheong Area Metropolitan Railway
Road construction between Sajunggyo and Hanbat Bridge
** Three-dimensional of Jangdae Intersection**
** Three-dimensional integrated development of urban railway sections**
Construction of Sikjangsan Station on Urban Railway Line 1
Simultaneous promotion of Urban Railway Lines 3, 4, and 5
Daejeon Station Area Complex Development
Supply of public housing in shanty towns
Creation of urban regeneration innovation zones
Plans for redeveloping aging planned cities and long-term택지 development zones
Modernization of sewage treatment facilities
Creation of a second waste landfill
Mayor Lee concluded the briefing by stating, "The past three years have been a time of achieving maximum results by doing our best with the best citizens," and reiterated his resolve, "In the coming year, we will push forward to the very end to create a Daejeon that can smile last with the optimal results."