Mayor Heo Tae-jeong visits Jungang Market to meet merchants, residents — vows to 'energize local economy through improved usability'
Daejeon has launched Ontong Daejeon 2.0, a local economic platform designed to channel residents' everyday spending into vitality for the city's commercial districts.
Mayor Heo Tae-jeong marked the platform's launch Tuesday by hosting a shopping event at Jungang Market, where he engaged directly with merchants and residents.
Heo used the Ontong Daejeon app to purchase goods at the market himself, demonstrating how consumer spending flows back into local businesses under the revamped platform.
After greeting merchants, he toured the market to hear their concerns and gauge business conditions, then spoke with residents about how to use the updated platform and what it means for the local economy.
The event covered a roughly 250-meter stretch starting from Gate 5 of Jungang Market, passing through Daejeon Wholesale Market, Yankee Market and Jayu Wholesale Market before concluding at Jeongwon Market.
Daejeon City Council Speaker Jo Seong-chil and other officials joined the mayor, and time was set aside for conversations with residents about the platform.
"Ontong Daejeon is a platform that creates a virtuous cycle for Daejeon's economy by connecting residents' spending directly to local business sales," Heo said. "Through Ontong Daejeon 2.0, which offers greater convenience for residents and expanded sales opportunities for small business owners, we will breathe new life into the local economy."
Daejeon city plans to build on the launch by expanding services including cashback rewards, policy support and QR code payments, developing the platform into a comprehensive lifestyle-economy platform that links residents' daily spending to the broader local economy.
kwonhl@heraldcorp.com
