Lee Jangwoo: "Expand Hanwha Ballpark" vs Heo Taejung: "A City That Respects Labor"

Lee: "Building Amateur Baseball and Soccer Fields in All Five Districts"
Heo: "Introducing Paid Sick Leave for Small Businesses with Fewer than Five Employees"

Photo by Jangwoo Lee, courtesy of the camp

On May 14, Lee Jangwoo, the People Power Party candidate for Daejeon Mayor, held a press conference at his campaign office and announced that during the 9th popularly-elected term, he would focus on balanced development strategies tailored to the characteristics of Daejeon's five districts and on expanding citizen-centered living infrastructure.

He emphasized that, along with expanding spectator seats at Hanwha Life Ballpark—a long-held wish of citizens and baseball fans—he would elevate the asset value and urban competitiveness of Daejeon as a whole through customized development strategies for each of the five autonomous districts.

For the Hanwha Baseball Stadium, Lee pledged to increase the current total floor area of 58,405.56 square meters and expand the number of seats from 20,007 to 23,007 by adding 3,000 seats. The project is estimated to require a total construction cost of 9.7 billion won, with 8.5 billion won for construction, 500 million won for design, and 700 million won for supervision.

The balanced development strategy for the five districts presented that day centers on "Enhancing asset value, preserving unique characteristics, and distributing benefits evenly." Notably, the plan to establish amateur baseball and soccer fields throughout all five districts adds to its symbolic significance.

First, in Dong-gu, a stay-type tourism belt will be created utilizing the Daechung Lake waterfront and Sikjangsan natural environment, while efforts will be made to revitalize cultural tourism by leveraging the modern cultural assets in the Soje-dong and Jungang-dong areas.

Plans include building a multi-purpose cultural tourism hub linked to railways and station areas, as well as expanding core living SOCs and transport networks to improve Dong-gu's residential environment and urban competitiveness.

In Jung-gu, comprehensive development of Bomunsan tourism will be pursued to cultivate it as Daejeon's signature tourist attraction, and the revitalization of commercial districts around Jungang-ro and Eunnae-dong will help restore the old downtown's economy.

By expanding support for old downtown redevelopment and reconstruction, and enhancing living culture and sports facilities, the city plans to boost urban vitality and improve citizens' living conditions in Jung-gu.

In Daedeok-gu, future industrial competitiveness will be strengthened through the advancement of industrial complexes and the transition to high-tech industries, while projects for renovating aging residential areas and improving living environments will be continually expanded.

The foundation for industrial innovation will be reinforced in connection with the Daedeok Research and Development Special Zone, and the city will strive to further enhance citizen convenience by expanding transportation and welfare infrastructure.

In Seo-gu, the plan is to upgrade urban functions by preparing support measures for the redevelopment and reconstruction of the Dunsan New Town, and to increase public leisure and cultural spaces for citizens by establishing waterfront areas centered on Gapcheon.

Lee envisions recreating Seo-gu as a future-oriented, high-quality new city by improving transportation systems, expanding living convenience facilities, and strengthening education and cultural infrastructure.

In Yuseong-gu, the focus will be on fostering future strategic industries such as aerospace, bio, semiconductors, and quantum industries, centered on the Daedeok Research and Development Special Zone, and further strengthening the functions of the International Science Business Belt.

He presented a vision to develop Yuseong-gu into a global science innovation city by improving the residential environment for young people and researchers to settle stably and by building an advanced industrial ecosystem.

Photo by Heo Taejung Camp

On May 13, Heo Taejung, the Democratic Party candidate for Daejeon Mayor, signed a "Policy Solidarity Agreement for Labor Respect" with the Daejeon Regional Headquarters of the Federation of Korean Trade Unions at his campaign office, pledging policy cooperation to create a Daejeon where citizens' daily lives are respected.

This agreement was established to protect the dignity of labor amid rapid changes in industrial structure and to build an effective labor safety net at the local government level.

Both sides agreed to work jointly to protect labor rights and restore the value of people's sovereignty in response to the current administration's labor policy direction.

At the signing ceremony, the Daejeon Regional Headquarters of the Federation of Korean Trade Unions expressed full trust in Heo's labor-centered vision for city administration, stating, "We support candidate Heo Taejung to realize both labor respect and regional development."

Heo made it clear that he would actively consider and reflect the policies proposed by the Federation, which capture voices from the field, in city administration, and that he would respect the labor community as a key partner in running the city.

The agreement includes eight core policy agendas for the sustainable development of Daejeon.

The main points include: ▲ institutionalizing worker participation in response to the transition to the AI industry ▲ creating quality jobs and expanding living wages ▲ strengthening labor rights and protecting foreign workers' rights ▲ guaranteeing autonomy in operating workers' welfare centers, among others.

This agreement stems from a shared understanding that Daejeon's future growth must go hand-in-hand with improvements in the labor environment.

Heo identified the introduction of a paid sick leave support system for workers in small businesses with fewer than five employees, who are often excluded from Labor Standards Act protections, as a key agenda item.

Under this policy, Daejeon City would provide up to 80,000 won per day for up to five days a year in paid sick leave support, offering practical assistance to ensure that marginalized workers can at least secure their basic health and rest rights.

In addition, through a "Workplaces with Rest Certification System," the city plans to grant incentives such as extra points in public procurement to outstanding businesses, and to strengthen care and sick leave support systems for young and female workers, making labor welfare closely connected to citizens' daily lives a core focus of administration.

Heo stated, "A city where the value of labor is upheld is a city where citizens' lives are safe," and added, "Daejeon's future can only be realized when respect for labor and the stability of citizens' lives are harmonized."

He continued, "Creating conditions where people can rest without worrying about their livelihood even in times of illness or accident is the essence of public administration," expressing his commitment to expanding the labor safety net.

Heo's campaign explained that this policy agreement is expected to serve as an institutional foundation for protecting citizens' labor rights, going beyond temporary support.

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