Daejeon

Daejeon is a metropolitan city in central South Korea. It serves as the administrative and economic hub of the Chungcheong region and has developed into a major center for science, engineering, and higher education. The city’s population is about 1.5 million people, making it one of the country’s largest urban areas outside the Seoul Capital Area.

Historically, Daejeon grew as a transportation crossroads linking the peninsula’s interior with the southern and western regions. In the late 20th century it was designated as a center for government administration and scientific research, a trajectory that culminated in the 1993 World Expo held there, and in the subsequent growth of its research institutes.

Central to this profile is Daedeok Innopolis, a cluster of public and private research institutes in the northern district. This ecosystem houses universities and facilities such as KAIST, KIST (Korea Institute of Science and Technology), KAERI (Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute), and other national laboratories. Chungnam National University and HANBAT National University also operate campuses in the city.

Daejeon also has cultural and educational institutions, including the Daejeon Museum of Art, the national science park areas, and the Yuseong district known for hot springs. The Expo Park and other green spaces provide recreational options for residents and visitors.

In terms of transport, Daejeon is a major rail hub served by Daejeon Station with frequent services including KTX. The city is connected by expressways to other parts of Korea and is within reach of nearby airports, notably Cheongju International Airport for air travel.