Daejeon mayor kicks off 'mutual-growth tour' in Yuseong-gu

Daejeon Mayor Heo Tae-jeong has launched the first "mutual-growth tour" of his ninth elected-term administration, visiting key project sites across the city and holding open question-and-answer sessions with residents to discuss local issues.

Heo began Monday with an inspection of a youth-focused public housing site in Gung-dong, Yuseong-gu, before meeting with about 400 Yuseong-gu residents at Baengma Hall of Chungnam National University to share his administration's vision and key policies and hear directly from constituents.

The youth-focused housing project will develop a 10-story, 56-unit integrated public rental housing complex at 499 Gung-dong at a total cost of about 9.3 billion won ($6.94 million). The project was selected in June through a competitive grant program run by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport.

At the site, Heo received a briefing on the project's progress and listened to residents' concerns, then called on city officials to provide active support to ensure that upcoming administrative procedures — including housing plan approval — proceed smoothly.

He said expanding the residential base so young people can work, live and settle in Daejeon was important, particularly by linking the project to nearby youth and startup infrastructure such as Chungnam National University, KAIST, Tips Town and Startup Park.

Heo also addressed a proposed pedestrian overpass crossing the nearby Hanbat-daero, saying the project was necessary for the safety and convenience of pedestrians and people with mobility difficulties. He pledged to secure the necessary funding and proceed as planned.

At the subsequent forum at Baengma Hall, Heo personally explained his administration's vision, core tasks and support plans for Yuseong-gu's key issues. Departing from the conventional policy briefing format, the mayor spoke directly to residents before fielding questions, with both the mayor and the district mayor responding in a talk-show style.

Topics raised by residents included improvements to recreational sports facilities, pedestrian environments for people with disabilities and other mobility-impaired residents, upgrades to disability welfare facilities, village bus services, and strategies to boost the local economy following the establishment of a military academy.

On the first issue, the city agreed to provide 400 million won to improve leisure facilities at Science Daedeok General Stadium, used by residents of Sinseong-dong and workers in the research complex, covering the installation of restrooms and rest areas and the maintenance of walking paths. However, Heo asked that an operational plan be drawn up to ensure the facilities remain accessible to the general public, in keeping with the intent of the city funding.

The city also agreed to provide 380 million won to upgrade aging facilities and equipment at the Yuseong-gu disability welfare center's swimming pool. On the question of deteriorating sidewalks near the Hakha-dong disability support center, Heo said the city would review support after assessing on-site conditions to improve pedestrian accessibility for people with disabilities.

Regarding a request to share electric vehicle charging facilities at the Bongsan-dong terminus for stable operation of Yuseong village buses, Heo said the city would actively negotiate a shared-use arrangement with the transport operator that owns the facilities.

On the establishment of a military academy at Jaunidae, Heo said the city would continue talks with the Ministry of National Defense to minimize the relocation of existing military educational institutions outside the region, and would develop a local cooperation strategy to ensure the academy's creation translates into population growth and economic revitalization.

The city also agreed to support the reconstruction of Seongbuk Third Bridge, proposed by Yuseong-gu, recognizing the need to secure flood drainage capacity and ensure safe passage for residents. It will provide 1.1 billion won to cover the project's funding shortfall.

"In the ninth elected term, we will strengthen city-district cooperation and actively reflect the voices we hear from citizens' daily lives in our policies," Heo said. "We will carefully examine and resolve local issues so that residents can feel real change in their everyday lives."

Following Yuseong-gu, Daejeon plans to continue the mutual-growth tour with visits to Jung-gu on Oct. 21, Dong-gu on Oct. 23, Daedeok-gu on Oct. 26 and Seo-gu on Oct. 27, sharing the administration's vision and core tasks with residents and gathering local concerns and suggestions at each stop.