Daegu Future Century Forum Launched: "From a Declining City to a City of Progress"

Overcoming Population Decline and Industrial Stagnation
Uniting for a Vision of Daegu's Next 100 Years

The Daegu Future Century Forum, established to prepare for the next 100 years of Daegu, has been officially launched.

Daegu Future Century Forum Launches "From a Declining City to a City of Leap Forward". Photo by Byunggun Kwon

The forum held its inaugural ceremony on the 26th at Wedding Meridian, embarking on a search for solutions to overcome the structural crises facing Daegu, such as population decline and decreased industrial productivity.

◆ "Daegu Needs to Reflect and Find New Growth Engines"

Daegu has historically been the central city of Yeongnam, a region known for loyalty and integrity, and has led the way in industrialization, modernization, and education. However, its current Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP) ranks 16th among the nation’s 16 cities and provinces. As concentration in the Seoul metropolitan area intensifies and the West Coast era expands, the local economy is facing increasing difficulties.

The forum stated that its founding purpose is "to reflect on Daegu's complacency in failing to respond proactively to changing times, and to establish new engines of growth and a vision for the future."

Co-CEO Byungwoo Park is giving a greeting. Photo by Byunggun Kwon

◆ "A Practical Gathering to Address Key Issues"

Park Byungwoo, co-CEO, said in his greeting, "This is the starting point for addressing Daegu's key issues and envisioning its future together," adding, "This will be a gathering where experts and citizens join forces to develop practical solutions."

Co-CEO Lee Baegyun also emphasized, "The biggest challenges facing Daegu are population decline and employment issues," and stressed, "We will seek tangible solutions such as creating quality jobs, improving living conditions, and attracting businesses."

The event brought together a strong local human network, with many past and present presidents and members of the Daegu-Gyeongbuk City and Province Residents Association attending to show their support.

Lee Donghwan, President of the Daegu-Gyeongbuk City and Province Residents Association, said in his congratulatory speech, "I am happy to serve as the sponsoring chairman of the forum," and urged, "Please lead the way so that Daegu can turn this crisis into an opportunity."

Additionally, video messages from local political figures were shared, and participants pledged to work together for Daegu's future.

Daegu can no longer rely solely on the glory of its past. Faced with the very real threats of a shrinking population and industrial stagnation, the launch of the Daegu Future Century Forum signals a practical crossroads for preparing the next century. Now, what matters most is not words, but action-and the ability to turn those actions into effective policies.

Donghwan Lee, President of the Daegu-Gyeongbuk City and Province Residents Association, who is also the Sponsoring Chairman of the Future Century Forum, is delivering a congratulatory speech. Photo by Byunggeon Kwon