Introducing Daejeon
From InsideDaejeon
Daejeon: Korea's Sparking City of Culture and Technology
Surrounded by idyllic jade mountains peppered with ancient temples and Confucian pavilions, Daejeon is generally considered the most livable and dynamic city among of Korea’s major cities. Traffic is quite reasonable, parks, rivers and museums are never more than a short ride away and one can get to Seoul in 50 minutes by train. But what makes Daejeon unique among all the cities of Asia is its astonishing collection universities and research institutes conducting world-class research in the applied sciences from semiconductors to fusion technology and next-generation satellites. Daejeon boasts a large international community and an incredible population of over 7,500 citizens with Ph.D. degrees in the applied sciences and an equal number with M.A.s and other advanced training. Daejeon has earned its name as Asia’s “Silicon Valley.”
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Living
The stunning Gyelong Mountains and the sparkling waters of Daecheong Lake are just a few kilometers from Daejeon. Yet even in the city one is never far away from nature. The mountain paths and hidden valleys that unfold in all directions, the picturesque banks of the Gapcheon River and the numerous parks and rivers are perfect for an afternoon stroll. And a short ride away you will find the charming pottery village, the ancient city of Gongju, and, a little further out, the breathtaking beaches of the Anmyon Peninsula. But it is the vibrant spirit of Daejeon as a metropolis that will win your heart. With its National Government Complex, making Daejeon a “little Seoul,” brand new subway system and excellent highways Daejeon offers all creature comforts. At the center of Korea’s transportation network, Daejeon is close to everything
After a long day exploring the parks and boulevards of Daejeon, be sure to rest up at the fabulous Yuseong Spa district. Famous throughout Korea for its service, you will be much refreshed after a massage at one of the fine establishments at Yuseong.
Then check out the gourmet restaurants of the hopping Mannyeon District, or go shopping at the luxurious Galleria Department in the Dunsan District. There is something for everyone in the department stores, specialty boutiques, cafes and bars of downtown Daejeon.
Children will especially enjoy Daejeon. Zooland Park, the rides of Gumdori Park, the Ecosystem Museum near Daecheong Lake, the Daejeon Science Museum and the Hanbat Arboretum will win their hearts. Daejeon features a very competitive elementary, middle and high schools including Taejon Christian International School (TCIS) and the Daejeon Science High School. Particulary, the Daejeon Science High is considered the best in Korea. There are many playgroups and activities for the international community that will keep your children busy. The Pyeongsong Youth Center also has many activities to stimulate young minds.
Culture
Daejeon has truly come of age as a culture center; many of its citizens no longer feel much need to go to Seoul to enjoy the best. You can find all your favorite feature films here at Daejeon’s major movie complexes: MCV Academy, Galleria Timeworld or Lotte Cinema Daejeon. Those with more refined tastes should check out the Daejeon Art Cinema. On a lazy Sunday, stroll down into the Daeheung District or the Dunsan District and enjoy galleries featuring some of the most creative artists of Korea today (just check out the listings of the Daejeon Art Guide (www.artne.net).
And then there is the Daejeon Philharmonic under the baton of Edmon Colomer offering panoply of classical and contemporary music. You will also find a host of other international and local musical events at the Daejeon Culture and Arts Center, the Woosong Arts Center, Paichai University and the Jeongsimhwa Culture Center.
Live clubs like Watermelon Sugar and the JRock Cafe offer more swinging alternatives. There are also numerous bars and clubs catering to the international community.
The Daejeon Museum of Art, known for its stunning exterior, features a fine collection of contemporary works. Check out the next-door Eung-no Lee Museum while you are there. Then there is the Asia Museum, hidden away in the foothills beneath the Jeogo Mountain Fortress. Here you will find a most delightful collection of art and a lovingly preserved traditional Korean house that serves the finest traditional teas.
Daejeon is a paradise for hiking, swimming, marathons and boating. You can find recreational facilities in every neighborhood. For professional sports, be sure to check out the Daejeon World Cup Stadium and the HanBat Stadium.
Education, Research and Technology
There are few cities on the scale of Daejeon (population of 1.5 million) that can boast twenty universities and twenty-one research institutes. Best known among these powerhouses is the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), considered one of the world’s leading technical universities. Under the leadership of President Nam-Pyo Suh, KAIST has become a dominant player in applied sciences with collaboration agreements with NASA and other technology world leaders. The Information and Communications University (ICU), now merged with the KAIST, is a center for research in telecommunications featuring the ICU-Samsung Joint Research Center. The Korea University of Science and Technology, Chungnam National University, Hanbat University, Hannam University, Woosong University, Daejeon University, SolBridge International School of Business and other universities feature first-rate scholarship in the sciences and humanities, rounding out a remarkable scholarly community.
Research institutes in Daejeon include the Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB), developing advanced nano biochips, the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI), a leader in nuclear power, the Electronic and Telecommunications Research Institute (ETRI) whose WiBro technology has been adopted as the international standard for 3G wireless communication, the Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI), developer of the KOMPSTAT satellite program and the National Fusion Research Institute which just unveiled its innovative KSTAR nuclear fusion reactor. Other research institutes include the National Nanofab Center, Korean Basic Science Research Institute, Korea Institute of Machinery and Materials, Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology, Korea Institute of Science and Technology Information, Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science, Marine and Ocean Engineering Research Institute, Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources, Korea Institute of Energy Research, Agency for Defense Development, Korea Institute of Toxicology, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine, Korea Institute of Nuclear Non-proliferation and Control, National Institute for Mathematical Sciences, Korea Institute of Nuclear Safety and the National Security Research Institute.
Corporate Innovation and Entrepreneurship Cluster
This huge pool of specialists in the advanced sciences is complemented by the personnel employed at 21 corporate research centers in Daejeon. That group includes the corporate research headquarters for new products and systems for LG, Samsung, SK, Samyang, Hanhwa and Dongbu. Daejeon also has an additional 17 corporate research centers focusing on more specialized topics.
Daejeon is most often referred to as the "Silicon Valley of Asia" but this analogy risks obscuring the full range of technologies developed in the region, from nuclear power, automobile parts and communications technology to shipbuilding, nuclear power and machine tools. More recently, ACTS (Agency of Advanced Cultural Technologies and Services) has become a Mecca for multimedia entertainment.
The cross-fertilization between these fields produces a rich ecosystem for innovation and collaboration. Over the last 15 years, venture companies have sprung up like mushrooms after a spring rain, numbering over 700 at last count. These venture companies cover IT, communications technology, software, biotechnology, environmental sciences, automobile parts, laser technologies and other fields. Some of those companies have gone on to become major players and others are coming of age today.
The city supports one of the fastest developing business communities with a strong emphasis on technological innovation. The recently opened Daedeok Techno Valley on the north side of town is becoming a center for advanced venture research in IT and biotechnology, with considerable international investment.
