"We will create a fund worth 1 trillion won to support youth entrepreneurship. The most dynamic and far-reaching way to revitalize the economy is youth entrepreneurship and employment. In particular, at the metropolitan level, fostering startups is more appropriate than attracting large corporations." - Heo Tae-jeong, Democratic Party of Korea candidate for Daejeon mayor

"We will complete a global economic science city based on science and technology. On the economic front, by 2030, we will achieve 100 listed companies headquartered in Daejeon and challenge a total market capitalization of 200 trillion won." - Lee Jang-woo, the People Power Party candidate for mayor of Daejeon.

The Public Science and Technology Innovation Council (representative Kim Wan-du) held on the 20th at the main conference room of the University of Science and Technology (UST) headquarters. The invitation briefing sessions for the Daejeon mayoral candidates were held consecutively with a one-hour gap.

The Public Science and Technology Innovation Council, which hosted the event that day, is a coalition of six organizations: the Science and Technology Policy Research Association, the Association of Senior Scientists and Engineers, the Daedeok Club, the Daejeon Federation of Science and Technology Societies, the Council of Former Government-Funded Research Institute Directors, and the General Federation of Research Institute Research Development Councils.

On that day, they each identified six major agenda items and proceeded with a question-and-answer session for each candidate for 60 minutes. From 4 PM, Lee Jang-woo, the People Power Party candidate for Daejeon Mayor, and from 6 PM, Heo Tae-jeong, the Democratic Party of Korea candidate for Daejeon Mayor, took the stage.

The six major agendas discussed that day are: ▲Support strategies and ecosystem creation plans for the birth of unicorn companies within the special zone (Daedeok Club) ▲Issues of redevelopment of jointly managed apartments (Council of Heads of Former Government-Funded Research Institutes) ▲Utilization of senior scientists and engineers (Federation of Senior Scientists and Engineers) ▲Support measures for youth startup and employment (Daejeon Federation of Science and Technology Societies) ▲Establishment of a one-team governance between Daedeok Innopolis and Daejeon City and strengthening of practical cooperation system (Science and Technology Policy Research Association) ▲Creation of Daejeon Science Culture Village for 10,000 people (Federation of Research Institute Development Councils), etc.

The moderator was Representative Kim Wan-du.

First, candidate Lee Jang-woo, who entered the Q&A session, in his opening remarks revealing his vision and policies, pointed out, "Is a city that produces innovative technologies appropriate in terms of its current economic scale?" and began his speech by saying, "Daejeon's economic power should be larger relative to its scale, but it is regrettable that it is not."

Candidate Lee, who served as Mayor of Daejeon (대전시장) over the past four years, cited the creation of 15,350 pyeong (15,350평) of industrial land and establishment of a financial support system, support for the establishment of the KAIST Quantum and Semiconductor Graduate School (KAIST 양자 및 반도체 대학원) for talent development, and the formation of a 204.8 billion won fund (2,048억 펀드) including a 50 billion won contribution from Daejeon City (대전시 500억원 출연) to the Daejeon Investment Finance (대전투자금융) mother fund (모펀드) as his achievements.

The relocation of Rainbow Robotics (레인보우로보틱스) to Sejong (세종) is quite regrettable.

He also expressed regret. The candidate said, "It is regrettable to the point of pain that Rainbow Robotics, a KAIST startup, moved to Sejong early in my tenure. They had already secured about 2,000 pyeong of factory site in Sejong. If Rainbow Robotics had not left, the total market capitalization of Daejeon companies on KOSDAQ would have reached 100 trillion won."

Regarding the central agenda question, the candidate said, "To accelerate the regional industrial ecosystem, I will shift the economic zone spanning 15km from Seoul to Pangyo and 25km from Seoul to Giheung further south by 100km, bringing it down to Daejeon."

The candidate also proposed measures such as regional corporate technology advisory for utilizing high-experience science and technology personnel.

Regarding the creation of a science village, the candidate said, "Juk-dong is inconvenient because it is far from the train station," and proposed replacing this issue through the reconstruction of Dunsan and the tram.

Then, candidate Heo Tae-jeong, who held a briefing from 6 p.m. that day, answered in detail about six major agendas, focusing on the integration of science policy and industry.

Candidate Heo said, "When I served as mayor in 2023, Daedeok Special Zone celebrated its 50th anniversary. At that time, I judged that the development of Daedeok Special Zone was the future of Daejeon, and established the Daejeon Science and Industry Promotion Agency as an organization dedicated to linking the development of Daedeok Special Zone and Daejeon." He added, "I understand that since then, rather than planning projects connecting Daejeon's future, the organization and system have become distorted and unstable due to immature operation. I plan to form a new preparation team to properly reorganize this."

Regarding the development of publicly managed apartments Candidate Heo said, "The same issue existed 20 years ago. If necessary, we will also discuss fiscal input. In particular, I will actively step up on the issue of deregulation." He added, "The costs of operation, etc., should be discussed with the state participating. We will actively accept good suggestions."

For Daejeon, fostering startups suitable for the metropolitan structure is more appropriate than large corporations.

"If I had to pick the best thing I did during my previous term as mayor, it would be supporting youth startups. I launched the D-Station project with plans to grow KAIST and Chungnam National University into tech startup meccas. Chungnam National University's Tipstown was created as a project of the Ministry of SMEs and Startups. I also proceeded with the Startup Park development project. These are achievements I have accomplished over four years. It was the most rewarding."

In this regard, Candidate Heo, as an election pledge this time, a plan to supply 5,000 youth housing units to improve youth settlement conditions. He/she mentioned that (it) was proposed.

Candidate Heo also commented, "It would be good if the industrial structure is formed around large corporations and there is an anchor company, but Daejeon has limitations as a metropolitan city. Therefore, we must foster companies suitable for Daejeon. The key lies in supporting youth startups." 

Regarding the plan to utilize highly experienced scientists and engineers, he/she expressed sympathy for the necessity and announced a policy of actively reviewing and strengthening the project itself, among other active support measures.

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Also, the bold removal of the green belt in Daedeok Special Zone, improvement of the floor area ratio, and restrictions on manufacturing production within the special zone. improving, etc. They also expressed the stance that the special zone environment should be created to enable demonstration and commercialization, leading it to become a forward base for industrialization.

Candidate Heo said regarding the creation of a science town for 10,000 people and 3,000 households, "It is a matter of interests, so public opinion and discussion among citizens are necessary."