Daejeon City Councilor Kim Jin-o: "Let's Make Public Transportation Free for Children"

Mayor Ijangwoo: "Comprehensive Review Needed Considering Financial Situation"
Assemblywoman Angyeongja Requests Reconsideration of Jungang-ro Underground Shopping Center

Kim Jin-oh, a Daejeon City Council member, is asking a question about city administration in the plenary session on the 1st. / Daejeon City Council

On the 1st, during the 2nd plenary session of the 277th extraordinary meeting of the Daejeon City Council, questions were raised regarding the plan to make public transportation free for children, and controversies surrounding the consignment and usage revenue permit method changes of the Jungang-ro Underground Shopping Center.

Assemblyman Kim Jin-oh (People Power Party, Seo-gu 1) stated, "While we feel the effects of the childbirth encouragement policy and the policy to reduce childcare costs for infants and toddlers, making Daejeon a 'child-friendly city,' it is also important to ensure that children and adolescents can grow up comfortably and safely," proposing free public transportation fares for children.

He continued, "If children are supported to use public transportation conveniently and familiarly, it will not only reduce the burden of childcare costs but also activate the use of public transportation by accompanying guardians," emphasizing, "This is expected to lead to additional social cost reductions such as decreased carbon emissions."

Mayor Lee Jang-woo responded, "From the perspective of transportation welfare, we will continue to review discounts or free fares for city buses," adding, "Regarding the urban railway, as the loss from free rides on Line 1 is increasing, a comprehensive review is necessary considering the financial support situation."

Assemblywoman Ahn Kyung-ja (People Power Party, Proportional Representation) questioned a series of matters surrounding the consignment and usage revenue permit method changes of the Jungang-ro Underground Shopping Center.

Assemblywoman Ahn said, "The Jungang-ro Underground Shopping Center is a market that Daejeon is proud of, having received the Presidential Award and the Minister of SMEs and Startups Award at the National Excellent Market Expo, and is visited nationwide for benchmarking," expressing concern about the overall commercial district's decline if conflicts between the city and merchants continue.

She added, "I agree with Mayor Lee Jang-woo's view that policy decisions should be made within the framework of the law," and requested, "However, I ask for a re-examination to ensure that there are no overlooked or missed aspects by the city in this matter."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.