Daejeon Mayor Lee Jang-woo on Seongsimdang Rent Controversy: "Special Exceptions Needed for Local Businesses"

"Flexibility Should Be Shown If Not Regulated by Law"
"Jungang-ro Underground Shopping Mall, Daejeon City's Role Is to Clearly Settle According to Law and Principles"

Daejeon Mayor Lee Jang-woo is giving a briefing on small business support measures on the morning of the 30th. / Daejeon City

Lee Jang-woo, the mayor of Daejeon, addressed the controversy over the rent at Seongsimdang Daejeon Station branch, stating, "It seems there is a regulation of a 17% commission, but unless it is a legal matter, it is appropriate to establish exceptions for local businesses from the region where each local government is located when entering the station."

At a briefing on support measures for small business owners on the 30th, Mayor Lee said, "Seongsimdang is not asking to lower the rate in Seoul, but for good businesses from the Busan region entering Haeundae Station, flexibility should be shown if not regulated by various laws."

He continued, "Seongsimdang said they would discuss it until August and consult if there are difficulties," adding, "It is not that Daejeon City is uninterested; they just refrained from mentioning it," dismissing some negative media reports.

Regarding merchants' opposition to the change in management of the Jungang-ro underground shopping mall, the mayor said, "According to the Act on the Management of Public Property and Goods, if it has been over 30 years, it must be put up for competitive bidding," and added, "We reviewed whether an extension is possible within the law or if there is a way to assist, but under current law, extending a private contract is not possible."

He emphasized, "There may be unfortunate stories, but it is Daejeon City's role in managing public property to firmly settle this matter according to law and principles."