300,000 Won Subsidy for Small Business Owners... Payments to Be Made Before Lunar New Year
Legislation Is Key for Daejeon-Chungnam Administrative Integration... "A Nominal Special City Will Not Gain Citizens' Consent"
Lee Jangwoo, Mayor of Daejeon, stated, "Now is not the time for public officials to hesitate due to difficulties. Instead, we must actively identify and resolve issues for the livelihood of the people and the future of the Chungcheong region." He added, "Through early budget execution and securing special administrative integration privileges, we will ensure changes that citizens can truly feel."
On the 29th, during the weekly work meeting, Mayor Lee instructed all departments to focus their administrative capabilities on the early execution of the budget to revive the stagnant local economy and on securing key special privileges related to the administrative integration (special city) of Daejeon and Chungnam.
With the economic downturn worsening for local self-employed and small business owners and consumer sentiment weakening, Mayor Lee ordered each bureau and department to swiftly prepare so that next year's budget can be executed immediately starting in January.
Accordingly, the city plans to accelerate the implementation of projects that provide tangible support to small business owners and the working-class economy, aiming to deliver noticeable results in livelihood recovery as early as possible.
Referring to policies to strengthen support for small business owners and the working-class economy, Mayor Lee said, "Promptly implement livelihood-focused policies such as reducing rent for public properties and providing subsidies to small business owners," adding, "For the 300,000 won subsidy for small business owners, complete the verification process with relevant agencies and aim to provide payments before the Lunar New Year holiday."
He also called for a thorough review of public facility usage fee policies to reduce the burden on citizens amid shrinking consumption.
In particular, regarding the parking fee at the World Cup Stadium, which was reduced by 50% from a maximum of 10,000 won per day to 5,000 won, he ordered a reassessment of whether this reduction is sufficient from the citizens' perspective and called for further measures to enhance effectiveness, such as additional reductions.
Regarding the administrative integration of Daejeon and Chungnam, he emphasized the need for "the realization of a truly special city, not just in form but in substance."
He made it clear that substantial special privileges, such as authority over organization, budget, and taxation, must be reflected in the legislation.
Mayor Lee said, "For the administrative integration of Daejeon and Chungnam, the legislation is the most critical factor," adding, "A nominal special city will not gain the consent of the citizens." He reaffirmed his position that the Chungcheong region must become an innovative local government model capable of competing with the Seoul metropolitan area.
To this end, each bureau and department plans to thoroughly review the budget and institutional improvements required for administrative integration and actively work to secure policy support.
In addition, key projects to secure regional growth engines will be promoted with a sense of urgency.
For the Webtoon IP Advanced Cluster project, in accordance with Mayor Lee's directive, the city will expedite the design and administrative procedures as much as possible to begin construction early.
Furthermore, the KAIST Innovative Digital Medical Science Institute, which aims to vitalize the bioindustry by fostering physician-scientists and connecting research outcomes with startups, will also accelerate the expansion of research and lecture spaces, prepare for the establishment of equipment and infrastructure, and strengthen industry-academia-research collaboration systems.
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