Promoting the spread of regional values through on-site communication, lifelong learning, local currency, and integrated care.
5. The relocation of the Small Business Corporation from Jung-gu to Yuseong has disrupted the revitalization of the downtown area. What measures will be taken to revitalize the downtown area at the district level?
Given that Jung-gu is underdeveloped, there is a high demand for urban regeneration, redevelopment, and reconstruction. Supporting these initiatives is crucial for revitalizing the downtown area. Currently, there are 42 redevelopment-related projects in progress in Jung-gu, and addressing the associated challenges is essential for their successful implementation. While redevelopment may not be the ultimate solution, there is a strong desire to improve the living environment and develop the old city, which must be actively promoted.
It is important for residents to take the lead in this redevelopment and to harness external resources for regional revitalization, but we must also unite our efforts to develop the area anew.
At present, Daejeon City is promoting the introduction of private cable cars to Bomun Mountain. However, this initiative faces challenges, particularly with expected deficits, and there is no guarantee that cable cars will turn Bomun Mountain into a popular destination. It would be more effective for citizens to focus on creating more walking paths, developing new dirt trails, and improving nighttime walkability to enhance community accessibility.
Residents should have the opportunity to choose and solve problems. For example, when promoting car-free streets, we should allow residents to select options, such as implementing these changes on Junggyo-ro instead of Jungang-ro.
To revitalize the downtown area, it is also vital to create spaces where young people can gather and engage. Establishing areas for young artists to hold art fairs and operate permanent auction houses to showcase and sell their work is necessary. In Jung-gu, there are already spaces where performers can busk, similar to Hongdae, highlighting the need to revitalize the area through cultural initiatives driven by residents.
6. Recently, the HyomunhwaBburi (효문화뿌리) Festival has been omitted from the Daejeon City Tour Guide, causing controversy. Daejeon City is proposing to integrate the Korea Hyomunhwa Promotion Agency and the Hyomunhwa Village Management Center, generating renewed interest in the Hyomunhwa project. In response, do you have plans to strengthen and revitalize the Hyomunhwa Root Festival, the only one of its kind in the world?
The festival has been held for 15 years, and while there are various opinions on its future, it’s impossible to satisfy everyone. I believe it’s more important to develop the festival into a privately led initiative rather than focusing solely on its identity.
The festival has a budget of about 1 billion won, and around 400 organizations and groups have reached out to us for support. They are requesting funding for their projects under the government-funded festival budget. If the festival is organized by the private sector, adjustments can be made more quickly, and projects can align with the festival's identity or annual theme.
The call for strengthening the festival seems to stem from the belief that it should be government-led. We need to gradually shift this perspective, and I hope you will observe the preparations and transition process.
Additionally, I believe that festivals should occur more frequently than once a year, creating synergy between regions. Since events have primarily been held at Root Park, there hasn’t been a connection with the downtown area. This year, as a precursor to the main festival, a book festival will be held in Jung-gu for two days, from September 7 to 8. This event aims to connect generations and regions through literature, organized entirely by private individuals, marking the first festival hosted by local bookstores.
7. The new web drama-style promotion (a parody of the TV dating program ‘Love Match: Jung-gu Wants Love’) launched by the Jung-gu Office is attracting attention. No matter how well you perform your duties, effective promotion is essential for visibility. What new promotional policies and strategies will you introduce to widely disseminate the values and activities of Daejeon Jung-gu and increase participation?
Given that the communication channels of the Jung-gu Office are currently dispersed, integrated management is our priority. I plan to streamline these channels to ensure that promotions work cohesively and generate synergy.
Furthermore, considering that Jung-gu has a large elderly population, it’s crucial to communicate effectively through both online and offline channels.
When I took the role, I noticed that Jung-gu lacked a YouTube channel and did not have a studio for filming and producing short promotional videos. I intend to address these needs systematically.
Additionally, I am exploring how to develop a brand identity for Daejeon Jung-gu and how to effectively implement it. We will seek out and promote policies that leverage the unique characteristics and strengths of Jung-gu.
8. Thank you for taking the time for this interview. Although you have recently taken office as the mayor of Jung-gu, we have felt the power and potential of resident-led, field-oriented policies that I had not perceived before. Lastly, do you have any words of advice for the residents of Jung-gu?
Jung-gu is a place that preserves the history and traditions of Daejeon, and there is a strong desire to revitalize the downtown area. The Jung-gu Office cannot address all problems alone. We are in an era of resident sovereignty. Jung-gu will support residents in solving local issues and promote alternative solutions. I encourage your interest and participation in creating a local government in Jung-gu that operates differently.
