The Daejeon Institute of Science and Technology Advancement (DISTEP) has confirmed its relocation to Hannam University's Campus Innovation Park in Daedeok-gu, signaling a full-fledged expansion of Daejeon City's science and technology ecosystem to Daedeok-gu and the original downtown area.

According to the city on the 2nd, DISTEP will relocate to Hannam University's Campus Innovation Park to strengthen cooperation with the Daedeok Research and Development Special District and revitalize the local industry.

This relocation is evaluated as a strategic measure by the 8th popularly elected Daejeon City administration, aiming to connect the research and development capabilities of the Daedeok Special District with the industrial base of the original downtown area, rather than a simple office space move.

The current DISTEP building, constructed in 1977, is a dilapidated facility with increasing safety risks each year. This has led to limitations in operational efficiency, including the performance of research and administrative functions.

Accordingly, Daejeon City recognized the necessity of relocation and actively considered DISTEP's move to resolve the imbalance between the original downtown and new urban areas through the relocation of public institutions. In particular, discussions on the relocation gained momentum after a direct instruction from Daejeon Mayor Lee Jang-woo during an expanded executive meeting last January.

With the inclusion of Hannam University's Campus Innovation Park in the Daedeok Research and Development Special District this January, it became the optimal location for DISTEP. Based on this, the city began the full-scale relocation process.

DISTEP completed its occupancy application last March and received final confirmation of occupancy on the 1st after reviews by the Korea Land and Housing Corporation (LH) and Hannam University.

The relocation is scheduled to be completed by the end of April, following the signing of the occupancy agreement and the creation of the space.

This relocation is expected to serve as a catalyst for creating a technology-based industrial ecosystem in the original downtown area by promoting the advancement of DISTEP's research and administrative functions, as well as the organic connection between the Daedeok Special District and Daedeok-gu's industries. Furthermore, it is anticipated to be an opportunity for the diffusion of innovation resources throughout Daejeon City.

Daejeon City plans to further solidify the cooperative system between the research and development special district and local industries and actively promote policies for sustainable science and technology-based industrial development.

Daejeon Mayor Lee Jang-woo emphasized, "DISTEP's relocation to Daedeok-gu is not just a spatial move but a strategic repositioning for Daejeon's future." He added, "We will organically link the excellent resources of the Daedeok Special District with the creation of the Downtown Innovation Zone and the development of the Daejeon Station area, and through this, innovatively reorganize the industrial ecosystem of the original downtown area, leading to balanced development across the entire city."

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