Over 3 Million Annual Visitors Expected
Transformed into a Destination for Three Generations... Installation of Four World-Class Giant Roller Coasters
Catalyst for Old Downtown Revitalization and Daejeon's Transformation into a Stay-Type Tourism City
Lee Jangwoo, Mayor of Daejeon, announced, "By investing 330 billion won by 2031, we will introduce killer content that can attract customers of all ages to O-World, expand the interactive safari, and carry out a comprehensive facility upgrade to transform it into the best leisure destination."
On the 23rd, during a press conference at City Hall's briefing room, Mayor Lee unveiled the "O-World Recreation Project" as part of the "Treasure Mountain Project."
◆ Number of visitors halved due to aging facilities and demographic changes
With the feasibility review for the O-World Recreation Project now complete, the full-scale renewal will proceed in earnest.
O-World, which opened in 2002, has become a popular tourist attraction, drawing over 1 million visitors annually, with a cumulative attendance of 25 million.
However, in recent years, the number of visitors has dropped significantly, with the expected number for this year falling to around 680,000-half of its peak-and the annual operating deficit for this year is estimated at 11 billion won.
The reasons for this decline in attendance include aging facilities after 23 years of operation, rides tailored mainly to lower elementary school students, and a shrinking core customer base due to the recent sharp drop in birth rates.
◆ Three years of preparation, feasibility assessment passed
To address the ongoing operating deficit and ensure the success of the Treasure Mountain Project, Daejeon City and the Urban Corporation have been discussing the O-World Recreation Project since February 2023.
After over three years of preparation, the project passed the feasibility assessment by the Local Public Enterprise Evaluation Institute under the Ministry of the Interior and Safety on December 18, paving the way for full-scale implementation.
◆ Four large roller coasters and attractions for all age groups
The most significant change will be in the amusement facilities. The current Flower Land and Bird Land areas will be transformed into an extreme amusement zone, featuring four world-class giant roller coasters.
A variety of thrilling rides will be introduced to provide exciting experiences not just for children but also for young adults and family visitors.
Mayor Lee plans to make O-World the nation's top theme park by introducing killer content that targets even college students and teenagers from the Seoul metropolitan area.
The existing Joy Land will be converted into a family amusement zone, with family-friendly attractions for children and families, creating a special space that inspires dreams and hope in children.
The zoo will also undergo major changes. The safari area will be expanded by more than 30%, from 25,000 square meters to 33,000 square meters, increasing attractions for visitors and providing a zoo designed to satisfy both animal welfare and visitor convenience.
New content will be added as well. Twenty glamping units will be installed alongside a wolf safari, offering visitors a unique experience. Other attractions include a water park reflecting the latest trends and a "Nostalgia Zone," a storytelling miniature space themed around memories of Daejeon.
◆ Revitalizing the old downtown, transforming Daejeon into a stay-type tourism city
Mayor Lee's efforts to transform Daejeon from a "boring city" to an "exciting city" have produced significant results.
The "Daejeon Zero O'Clock Festival" attracted 2 million visitors, the largest number for a single festival, and various goods featuring the Kkumdori character, such as ramen and walnut cookies, generated 2.3 billion won in sales within six months. These initiatives helped Daejeon earn the distinction of being ranked the ninth-best value-for-money travel destination in Asia for 2025.
Mayor Lee emphasized, "Given the locational advantage of having 18 million potential customers within a 100-kilometer radius, it is projected that annual visitors to O-World will exceed 3 million once the recreation project is completed sequentially by 2031. Once the cable car, monorail, and electric vehicle transportation networks-part of the Treasure Mountain Project-are completed, the revitalization of the old downtown commercial area will drive urban regeneration, transforming Daejeon into a stay-type tourism city."
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