Daejeon named top institution for intellectual property promotion

Daejeon has become the only metropolitan government in the country named the top institution for intellectual property promotion.

The city received an institutional commendation Friday at the 9th Intellectual Property Day ceremony, held at L Tower in Yangjae, Seoul, and hosted by the Presidential Committee on Intellectual Property, chaired by Prime Minister Han Seong-sook.

The Presidential Committee on Intellectual Property is a presidential advisory body responsible for advancing the country's intellectual property strategy. It reviews and coordinates IP policy and plans, and monitors and evaluates their implementation.

Daejeon was recognized for seven initiatives, including support for patent creation and transactions for small and medium-sized enterprises, assistance for export companies expanding overseas, and the hosting of intellectual property events.

In 2025, the city provided 359 cases of intellectual property support — covering technology transfer, valuation and overseas rights registration — to promising local small and medium-sized enterprises, generating 196.8 billion won ($144 million) in sales and creating 405 jobs.

Daejeon Mayor Heo Tae-jeong said the recognition reflected the combined efforts of the city's industry-academia-research ecosystem and the innovative drive of its businesses. "We will continue to actively support the creation, protection and utilization of intellectual property, and work to establish Daejeon as the nation's leading intellectual property hub," he said.

Meanwhile, Daejeon plans to participate in an intellectual property policy forum hosted by Assembly member Jang Cheol-min on Sept. 15, where it will present the city's policy direction and role in the field. The city aims to develop Daejeon into a national intellectual property hub by relocating and clustering IP-related public institutions and linking them with the region's core resources.