[New Year's Address] Kim Jeseon, Mayor of Jung-gu, Daejeon: "Will Attract Millennials & Gen Z and Drive a Virtuous Cycle in the Local Economy"

"Focusing on Jung-gu's Resources and Strengths to Strengthen the City Brand"

Kim Jeseon, Mayor of Jung-gu District, Daejeon (Photo by Jung-gu District Office)

Kim Jeseon, Mayor of Jung-gu District, Daejeon, delivered his 2026 New Year's address, stating, "Despite the upheavals last year, we protected the daily lives of our residents through the power of local autonomy." He added, "Jung-gu has shed its outdated image and led innovation through resident-led administration, securing 54.3 billion won in national and municipal funding, issuing local love gift certificates, winning various policy awards, supporting redevelopment, and being designated as a lifelong learning city, among other major achievements."

Mayor Kim said, "In the new year, we must expand residents' authority and participation through the integration of Daejeon and Chungnam, and restore the independence of autonomous districts," emphasizing, "The authority of an autonomous district with a population of 200,000 must not be diminished."

He continued, "Let us establish a problem-solving-oriented autonomous administration and lay the foundation for residents to exercise administrative decision-making power themselves by transitioning to resident autonomy councils." He pledged, "We will focus on Jung-gu's resources and strengths to strengthen the city brand, attract Millennials & Gen Z, and drive a virtuous cycle in the local economy."

He also stated, "We will refine integrated care for the aging society to address issues of isolation and disconnection and create a sustainable care structure." He added, "Public officials should listen carefully to residents, remain true to their original intentions, and work together to build a future for Jung-gu as a resident-sovereign city without exclusion."