Daejeon Mayor Lee Jangwoo Orders Completion of Temporary Yudeunggyo Bridge Installation Talks This Week

Presiding Over Weekly Work Meeting: "Swift Administrative Procedures Needed Due to Disaster Situation"
Orders In-Depth Study on Chungnam-Daejeon Integration Plan and Chungnam-Chungbuk-Daejeon Integration Plan

Lee Jangwoo, mayor of Daejeon, is presiding over the weekly business meeting on the 22nd. / Daejeon City

On the 22nd, Daejeon Mayor Lee Jangwoo presided over the weekly work meeting and, regarding the full closure of Yudeunggyo Bridge, instructed that "resolving citizen inconvenience must be the top priority," and ordered that prior consultations with relevant agencies for the installation of a temporary bridge at Yudeunggyo be completed this week.

He continued, "Since this is a disaster situation and we must immediately proceed with the installation of a temporary bridge, a swift administrative process is needed rather than the usual procedures," and added, "Even if additional funding from the Ministry of the Interior and Safety is secured later, the city should first utilize its available resources for the bridge installation."

Regarding the flood damage in Jeongbang Village, Seo-gu, he said, "Residents will have various things to say since the embankment collapsed and caused damage. Listen carefully and review the situation thoroughly," and added, "Since furniture and household goods were likely lost due to flooding, devise ways to support administrative reorganization and recovery."

Mayor Lee also instructed a detailed study on the integration plans of Chungnam-Daejeon and Chungnam-Chungbuk-Daejeon.

He said, "This is not something to be rushed. We need to listen to citizens' opinions, and since there are various stakeholders, sufficient time is necessary." He added, "The governor of Chungnam shares a similar view, so start by consulting with Chungnam and then conduct a thorough study on comprehensive plans that could include Chungbuk as well."

He continued, "I believe the special metropolitan city issue is necessary for the overall development of the Chungcheong region," and said, "Promote the integration plan publicly." Mayor Lee explained the purpose of the integration proposal by saying, "If Chungnam and Daejeon had not been separated, the region's capabilities might have grown even more. In fact, budgets and such have been divided, and if they had not been separated, Chungnam could have strategically invested more heavily in industries and other areas."

Regarding the utilization plan for the former Daejeon City Hall, Mayor Lee said, "It was called the Daejeonbu Office during the Japanese colonial period, and as the very first Daejeon City Hall, it must be restored to its original form. We have reviewed various uses for it," and added, "I believe attracting a Starbucks Reserve Roastery will have a huge tourism impact among young people in Korea."

At the weekly work meeting on the 2nd, Mayor Lee also emphasized, "We are considering offering the recently acquired former Daejeonbu Office to Starbucks. Since it is our building, we can supply it cheaply and long-term, and since it is only 50 meters from Sung Sim Dang, there will be great synergy."

The Starbucks Reserve Roastery is a premium specialty store with only six locations worldwide, including Seattle, Chicago, and New York in the United States, Tokyo in Japan, Shanghai in China, and Milan in Italy. Visitors can watch coffee beans being roasted, and the stores offer unique coffee and goods, making them must-visit spots in their respective regions.