Daejeon

The earliest record of the modern name 'Daejeon' is in the 1481 geography book, Tongguk yŏji sŭngnam. 'Daejeon' (대전 大田) is a Hanja translation of the native placeword for the area, 'Hanbat' ({{Korean|hangul=한밭|labels=no}}), meaning {{'}}Great fields{{'}}. {{'}}Hanbat{{'}}, is a compound word that adds 'Han' (한/often transcribed in Hanja as 韓, as in Korea), that means Great or big, and the word 'Bat' ({{Korean|hangul=밭|labels=no}}), meaning field, leading to Big/Great Field(s).{{Cite web |last=이 |first=호영 |date=2017-03-01 |script-title=ko:[우리고장 대전(大田) 이야기] 대전 역사가 고작 100년? 조선 초기에도 '한밭'으로 불려 |url=https://www.goodmorningcc.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=58078#:~:text=%EB%8C%80%EC%A0%84,%20%EB%AA%85%EC%B9%AD%EC%9D%98%20%EC%9C%A0%EB%9E%98&text=%EC%88%9C%EC%9A%B0%EB%A6%AC%EB%A7%90%EB%A1%9C%20'%ED%95%9C'%EC%9D%80,(%E5%A4%A7%E7%94%B0)%EC%9D%B4%EB%9D%BC%20%EB%B6%80%EB%A5%B4%EA%B2%8C%20%EB%90%98%EC%97%88%EB%8B%A4. |access-date=2024-10-27 |website=굿모닝충청 |language=ko}}The 'Han' ({{Korean|hangul=한|labels=no}}) translated into 'Dae' (大) - both meaning big, and 'Bat' ({{Korean|hangul=밭|labels=no}}) translated to 'Jeon' (田), both meaning fields.

The name Hanbat is still in use as a road name for Hanbat-daero ({{Korean|hangul=한밭대로|labels=no}}), or Hanbat road, a road of 12.7 kilometers connecting Daejeon's Yuseong district to Dong-gu.[http://www.daejeon.go.kr/cmm/Download.do?filePath=FileUpload%2FBEF%2Fdj2009%2Fincomming%2Fgongbo%2FAKK0A0A0insertdb_jsp%2F2%EA%B0%9C%EC%9D%B4%EC%83%81_%EC%9E%90%EC%B9%98%EA%B5%AC%EC%97%90_%EA%B1%B8%EC%B2%98_%EC%9E%88%EB%8A%94_%EB%8F%84%EB%A1%9C%EA%B5%AC%EA%B0%84_%EB%93%B1%EC%9D%98%EA%B2%B0%EC%A0%95%28%EA%B3%A0%EC%8B%9C_%EC%A0%9C2009-177%ED%98%B8%29.hwp&fileName=2%EA%B0%9C%EC%9D%B4%EC%83%81+%EC%9E%90%EC%B9%98%EA%B5%AC%EC%97%90+%EA%B1%B8%EC%B2%98+%EC%9E%88%EB%8A%94+%EB%8F%84%EB%A1%9C%EA%B5%AC%EA%B0%84+%EB%93%B1%EC%9D%98%EA%B2%B0%EC%A0%95%28%EA%B3%A0%EC%8B%9C+%EC%A0%9C2009-177%ED%98%B8%29.hwp]

It is unclear exactly when humans first inhabited the Daejeon area. However, the Paleolithic site of Seokjang-ri in nearby Gongju, Chungcheongnam-do, and the Yongho-dong site{{efn|The Yongho-dong site dates back 100,000 years, corresponding to the Middle Paleolithic period. Stone tools, known as ganseokgi, have been excavated from this archaeological site.}} in Daedeok District, Daejeon, suggest that people lived here from around that time. From the Bronze Age, artifacts[https://www.museum.go.kr/site/main/relic/directorytreasure/view?relicId=1991 Nonggyeongmun Bronze Artifact preserved at the National Museum of Korea.] such as bronze items, dwelling sites, and pottery have been excavated, providing concrete evidence of sustained human habitation.

During the Proto–Three Kingdoms Period, the area was part of Mahan, one of the Three Han states. It is believed to have been home to Sinheunguk (臣釁國), one of the small states that made up Mahan. However, some theories place Sinheunguk in Seosan or Yesan County in South Chungcheong Province, so its exact location is uncertain. Proponents of the Daejeon theory speculate that "Sinheung" is related to Jinhyeon-hyeon,{{efn|Jinhyeon-hyeon evolved into Jinryeong-hyeon, which later became Jinjam-hyeon, ultimately leading to the origin of the current place name Jinjam-dong.}} which will be discussed later and eventually connects to the place name Jinjam-dong.{{cite web | url=https://encykorea.aks.ac.kr/Article/E0033601 | script-title=ko:신흔국 (臣釁國) }} Meanwhile, the area around the now Yuseong District is thought to have been the site of Naebiri-guk (內卑離國) of Mahan. This is because the Three Kingdoms-era place name for Yuseong District, Nosaji, is also recorded as Naesaji (內斯只), and both names share the element "Nae" (內).{{efn|The term Naebiri (內卑離) incorporates the suffix biri (卑離, *pɛrɛ), which appears repeatedly in the names of small states during the Samhan period. This recurring usage suggests that biri functioned as a toponymic suffix, similar to buri (夫里) found in Baekje place names and beol (伐/火, *pɔr) used in Silla place names.

The Sino-Korean character ji (只) carried the phonetic value 'ge' (*kɛ) in the Baekje language, signifying "castle." Additionally, sa (斯), also recorded as jil (叱), is associated with the Middle Korean genitive particle 's.' Consequently, Naesaji (內斯只) can be analyzed as a combination of 'nae' (內) meaning "inner," the genitive particle, and 'seong' (城) meaning "castle," thus translating to "inner castle." This analysis indicates that the central element in both place names is 'nae' (內). During that period, the pronunciation was likely close to 'nu' or 'no.'

Despite the similarities, some scholars have argued that biri (卑離) and ji (只) could not be used interchangeably as toponymic suffixes because their meanings differed. However, evidence from the Mahan state Byeokbiriguk, which also utilized the suffix 'biri,' supports the interchangeable usage. During the Three Kingdoms period, Byeokbiriguk was renamed Byeokgol (辟骨), meaning "castle," paralleling how 'ji' (只) was used. This parallel suggests that associating Naebirikuk and Naesaji is plausible.

Furthermore, the Old Chinese pronunciation of nae (內) ended with /*s/, which implies that the phonetic value *sɛ may have been omitted in writing during the Proto-Samhan period. This omission provides additional support for linking Naebirikuk with Naesaji, as the core element 'nae' (內) remains consistent despite the phonetic changes.}}{{cite web | url=https://encykorea.aks.ac.kr/Article/E0012460 | script-title=ko:내비리국 (內卑離國) }}{{Citation |last=김 |first=정학 |script-title=ko:내비리국 (內卑離國) |encyclopedia=Encyclopedia of Korean Culture |url=https://encykorea.aks.ac.kr/Article/E0012460 |access-date=2024-10-27 |publisher=Academy of Korean Studies |language=ko}}

In the Three Kingdoms Period, the area became part of Baekje's territory and was known as Usul-gun (雨述郡), centered around Eumnae-dong in Daedeok District and including Hoedeok-dong. Also on Usul-gun, in the city exists the remains of Bakjae's mountain fortress Usul-fortress ({{Korean|hangul=우술성|labels=no}}){{cite web | url=https://encykorea.aks.ac.kr/Article/E0039994 | script-title=ko:우술성 (雨述城) }}, which was declared a city-designated monument in 1989. This name is a transcription of the native Korean place name "Bisul" or "Bisuri," where they took the meaning "rain" from the character 雨 and the sound "sul" from 述.{{efn|Fortunately, the phonetic value is straightforward, making it a word that can be easily inferred. However, it is difficult to confirm whether it was "sul" or "suri" due to the lack of established theories regarding the multi-syllabic tendencies of ancient Korean. Nevertheless, depending on the speaker's dialect, it is possible that both forms were used.}} At Gyejoksan Mountain in Jang-dong, Daedeok District, there is a legend that "when the mountain cries during severe drought, rain comes," leading to the place name "beak-dal-san" or "beakdal" mountain,{{cite web | url=https://www.cctoday.co.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=2162792 | script-title=ko:'산이 울면 비가 온다'… 명당 품은 대전 계족산 | date=27 May 2022 }}{{cite web | url=https://www.joongdo.co.kr/web/view.php?key=20201117010006360 | script-title=ko:대전 대덕구, 공정·생태관광 특화 프로그램 운영 | date=17 November 2020 }} and "Bisuri," ({{Korean|hangul=비수리|labels=no}}) meaning "rainy peak."{{cite web | url=https://www.daejeon.go.kr/par/ParContentsHtmlView.do?menuSeq=833 | script-title=ko:공원관리사업소 }} This legend is also recorded in early Joseon-era texts like the Geographical Appendix to the Annals of King Sejong{{efn|懷德縣: 本百濟 雨述郡, 新羅改爲比豐郡, 高麗改爲懷德縣。 顯宗戊午, 屬公州任內。 明宗二年壬辰, 始置監務, 本朝因之。 太宗十三年癸巳, 例改爲縣監。 鷄足山。 【縣人以爲鎭】 四境, 東距淸州十四里, 西距公州七里, 南距珍山二十二里, 北距文義二十四里。 戶三百, 口一千二百六十六。 軍丁, 侍衛軍七、守護軍四、船軍一百四十九。 土姓四, 黃、任、李、房; 亡姓一, 郭。 貞民驛續姓二, 裵、金。 厥土肥塉相半, 墾田二千六百八十八結。 【水田五分之二】 土宜五穀, 木瓜。 土貢, 眞茸、鳥足茸、漆、雜羽、黃蠟、棗、狐皮、狸皮、山獺皮、芝草、紙。 藥材, 五倍子、土産石鐵。 【産縣北二十里稷洞, 下品。】 鷄足山石城。 【在縣東十里, 四面險阻, 周回三百七十四步二尺。 內有泉一, 冬夏不渴。 鄕人云: "天旱, 此山鳴則必雨。"】 驛一, 貞民。 【俗訛田民】 利遠津。 【俗號荊角津, 有渡船。】 烽火一處, 雞足山。 【東準沃川、環山, 北準文義、所山。】 越境處, 儒城 東村 郞山里, 越入縣南面。}}{{cite web |script-title=ko:조선왕조실록 |website=Veritable Records of the Joseon Dynasty |url=https://sillok.history.go.kr/id/kda_40005003_010 |language=ko |access-date=2024-11-13}} and the Sinjŭng Tongguk yŏji sŭngnam ({{Korean|hangul=신증동국여지승람|hanja=新增東國輿地勝覽|labels=no}}), the version of Tongguk yŏji sŭngnam, updated in 1530.{{cite web | url=https://db.itkc.or.kr/dir/item?itemId=BT#/dir/node?dataId=ITKC_BT_B001A_0190_010_0040 | script-title=ko:한국고전종합Db }}

Under Usul-gun, there were Nosaji-hyeon (奴斯只縣){{efn|It was also known as Nojilji (奴叱只). According to Hyangmuncheonui Hangugeo Bisa, the actual pronunciation is estimated to be nɔsɛkɛ 'Nosege'. This area encompasses the now Oncheon 1 and 2-dong in Yuseong District and the Dunsan New Town region in Seo-gu.}}{{cite web | url=https://encykorea.aks.ac.kr/Article/E0041542 | script-title=ko:유성 (儒城) }} in the area of Guseong-dong, Yuseong District; Sobipo-hyeon (所比浦縣){{efn|This area encompasses the now Oncheon 1 and 2-dong and Sinseong-dong in Yuseong District, as well as the Dunsan New Town region in Seo-gu.}} in Deokjin-dong; and Jinhyeon-hyeon (眞峴縣){{efn|This area includes Jinjam-dong in Yuseong District.}} in Bonggok-dong, Seo-gu. Among these, Jinhyeon-hyeon was the only one not under Usul-gun but belonged to Hwangdeungyasangun (黃等也山郡), centered around Yeonsan-myeon in Nonsan, South Chungcheong Province. Based on the Five Divisions established during King Seong(성왕;year 504 ~557 july)'s reign(523 may~ 554 july), the area around Gongju was the Northern Division, and the area around Nonsan was the center of the Eastern Division, so it likely belonged to one of these two. Considering that the Daejeon area later generally moved in conjunction with Gongju, the dominant theory is that it belonged to the Northern parts of regional classification.{{efn|On the other hand, since Jinhyeon-hyeon was under the separate jurisdiction of Hwangdeungyasangun, it is highly probable that only this prefecture belonged to the Eastern Division.}}{{cite web | url=https://encykorea.aks.ac.kr/Article/E0029457 | script-title=ko:성왕 (聖王) }}

During this period, the area was one of the main frontlines among Goguryeo, Baekje, and Silla, resulting in many mountain fortress ruins in Daejeon, leading to an oral tradition that the name of Sikjang Mountain originated from the Baekje army storing provisions on the mountain.{{cite web | url=https://www.joongdo.co.kr/web/view.php?key=20240922010005524 | title=[오늘과내일] 대전 식장산 효행 설화와 중국 제남의 효당산 | date=22 September 2024 }} There are also numerous fortifications that are closer to small forts than large mountain fortresses.{{Citation |script-title=ko:대전광역시의 성 목록 |date=2023-09-25 |work=위키백과, 우리 모두의 백과사전 |url=https://ko.wikipedia.org/wiki/%EB%8C%80%EC%A0%84%EA%B4%91%EC%97%AD%EC%8B%9C%EC%9D%98_%EC%84%B1_%EB%AA%A9%EB%A1%9D |access-date=2024-10-27 |language=ko}} Notably, after Baekje's King Gaero had Wiryeseong captured by Goguryeo's King Jangsu, Baekje faced a critical crisis due to continued southward advances by Goguryeo.{{cite web | url=https://encykorea.aks.ac.kr/Article/E0001616 | script-title=ko:개로왕 (蓋鹵王) }} The Goguryeo army reached as far as the Daejeon area, creating an unprecedented situation where Baekje's Ungjin Fortress was pressured from both the northeast (Sejong) and southeast (Daejeon). Relics left by the Goguryeo army from this time can be found in Wolpyeong-dong in Seo District, Daejeon, as well as in Bugaang-myeon, Saerom-dong, and Naseong-dong in Sejong.{{cite web | url=https://encykorea.aks.ac.kr/Article/E0041093 | script-title=ko:월평동산성 (月坪洞山城) }}

It was not until the reign of King Dongseong that Baekje, allied with Silla, succeeded in driving out the Goguryeo forces from the Daejeon area. Baekje recovered the entirety of Sejong, most of Cheongju, and most of Daejeon. However, they had to tolerate Silla's occupation of the entire Goesan area—which was originally part of Hanseong Baekje's territory—as well as the northern half of now Daedeok District and the southwestern part of Cheongju. Goesan was recovered from Silla during the reign of King Uija of Baekje, but the Sintanjin area and the southwestern part of Cheongju were never regained until Baekje fell. Therefore, the northern region of Daedeok District has deep historical connections not only with Baekje but also with Silla.{{cite web | url=https://encykorea.aks.ac.kr/Article/E0016593 | script-title=ko:동성왕 (東城王) }}

During the wars for the unification of the Three Kingdoms in 660, there is a record that the Silla army stationed at Nosurisan (怒受利山) during the Battle of Hwangsanbeol,{{efn|"On July 10 of this year, Su Dingfang of Tang led naval forces and set up camp at Mijajin (尾資津). King Chun-chu of Silla led his troops and stationed at Nosurisan (怒受利山). After jointly attacking Baekje for three days, they captured our royal fortress. On the 13th of the same month, they broke through the royal fortress for the first time. Nosurisan is the eastern border of Baekje."

— From the Nihon Shoki, article dated September 5, the 6th year of Empress Saimei (660 AD), report by Baekje monk Gakjong.}} which broke out on July 9. Given the phonetic similarity to Nosaji-hyeon located in Yuseong District, it is considered to be the same place. As the Daejeon area was a border region adjacent to Hwangdeungyasangun (Nonsan), a fierce battleground, it would have been suitable for the Silla army to set up camp.{{cite web | url=https://encykorea.aks.ac.kr/Article/E0065183 | script-title=ko:황산벌전투 (黃山伐戰鬪) }}

After the fall of Baekje, the area became the backdrop for the Baekje Revival Movement. The Ongsanseong (甕山城), where the revival forces blocked the Silla army's path and fought around August 661, is presumed to be Gyejoksanseong Fortress on Gyejoksan Mountain in Jang-dong, Daedeok District. After a three-day siege, Ongsanseong fell on September 27.{{efn|Although they were urged to surrender, the unnamed castle lord refused, saying he would rather die fighting. Given the severe plundering by the Tang army led by Su Dingfang after Baekje's fall, it's understandable that the resentment and hostility among the displaced Baekje people were extreme. After the fortress fell, the castle lord was executed, but the soldiers were all released.}} Subsequently, Usul-gun was attacked by Kim Pumil, the governor of Sangju, and over 1,000 people were executed. According to records, Jo Bok (助服), the last military commander of Usul-gun and a second-rank Dalsol, surrendered to Silla along with a third-rank Eunsol named Paga (波伽) and their followers.{{efn|Typically, a fourth-rank Deoksol was appointed as a military commander, but since a second-rank Dalsol was stationed in Usul-gun, it can be inferred that Baekje considered Usul-gun extremely important as a strategic point.}} Later, in August 662, remnants of the revival forces gathered and fortified themselves at Naesajiseong (內斯只城), presumed to be the fortress located in the aforementioned Nosaji-hyeon (奴斯只縣) which corresponds to the now Yuseong District area, and resisted, prompting the dispatch of 19 generals, including Kim Heumsun, to defeat them.{{Citation |last=성 |first=주탁 |script-title=ko:백제 부흥운동 (百濟 復興運動) |encyclopedia=Encyclopedia of Korean Culture |url=https://encykorea.aks.ac.kr/Article/E0022364 |access-date=2024-10-27 |publisher=Academy of Korean Studies |language=ko}}

In the Unified Silla period, based on Silla's nine provinces and five secondary capitals policy, the area belonged to Ungcheonju (熊川州). Later, due to King Gyeongdeok's Sinicization policy in 757, Usul-gun was renamed Bipung-gun (比豊郡),{{efn|This is a different way of transcribing the previously mentioned "Bisul/Bisuri" compared to Baekje's Usul (雨述). Whereas Usul used the meaning "rain" (雨) for "bi" and the sound "sul" (述) for "sul/suri", Bipung (比豊) likely used the sound "bi" (比) for "bi" and the meaning "sul/suri" (豊) for "sul/suri", resulting in Bipung (比豊).}} Nosaji-hyeon became Yuseong-hyeon (儒城縣),{{efn|As is well known, this is the origin of today's Yuseong District. It is one of the oldest place names in the now Daejeon area. The next oldest is Hoedeok, established during the Goryeo Dynasty. For reference, the estimated reconstructed pronunciation of the aforementioned Nosaji (奴斯只) is nɔsɛkɛ, which can be analyzed as nɔ-sɛ-kɛ. Here, kɛ means "castle" in the Baekje language, corresponding to the "seong" (城) in Yuseong. Additionally, the character 儒 (yu) had an Old Chinese pronunciation close to 'no', corresponding to the 'no' (奴) in Nosaji. Therefore, the place name Yuseong (儒城) was created by appropriately transcribing and translating the original native name Nosaji (奴斯只).{{Cite web |script-title=ko:유성 (儒城) |url=https://encykorea.aks.ac.kr/Article/E0041542 |website=encykorea}}}}{{efn|Alternatively, nɔsɛ can be considered a single word. Linguist Yoon Hee-soo reconstructed the ancient Korean word nɔsɛ meaning "generosity" or "compassion," based on the fact that Nosahwa-hyeon (奴斯火縣), a place name from the Three Kingdoms period, was renamed Jain-hyeon (慈仁縣) during King Gyeongdeok's reign. If the Nosa (奴斯) in Nosaji-hyeon has the same meaning, then the character 儒 (yu) in Yuseong-hyeon (儒城), which also conveys the meaning of "benevolence," was chosen considering both the pronunciation and the meaning of the original native place name.

혹은 '*nɔsɛ' 자체를 한 단어로 보기도 한다. 언어학자 윤희수는 삼국시대 지명인 노사화현(奴斯火縣)이 경덕왕 대에 자인현(慈仁縣)으로 개칭된 사실을 통해 고대 한국어로 너그러움, 자비로움을 뜻했던 단어 *nɔsɛ '노세'를 재구했는데, 노사지현의 노사(奴斯)가 같은 뜻이라면 너그럽다는 의미도 있는 유성현의 유(儒) 자는 기존 고유어 지명의 발음뿐만 아니라 뜻도 고려한 글자에 해당한다고 보았다.}} Sobipo-hyeon became Jeokjo-hyeon (赤鳥縣), and Jinhyeon-hyeon was renamed Jinryeong-hyeon (鎭嶺縣). Jinryeong-hyeon still belonged separately to Hwangsan-gun (黃山郡), the renamed Hwangdeungyasangun. Ungcheonju was also renamed Ungju (熊州).{{cite web | url=https://encykorea.aks.ac.kr/Article/E0040561 | script-title=ko:웅천주 (熊川州) }}

During the Later Three Kingdoms period in the early 900s, the area came under the territory of Later Baekje. Compared to the original Baekje, Later Baekje's domain extended much further east beyond Daejeon, deeply into Gyeongsang-do, and had also reclaimed the northern part of Daedeok District, which had previously been occupied by Silla. Therefore, the area of Daejeon belonged to Later Baekje until its collapse in 936.{{cite web | url=https://encykorea.aks.ac.kr/Article/E0065738 | script-title=ko:후백제 (後百濟) }}

Entering the Goryeo period, Bipung-gun (比豊郡) was renamed Hoedeok-hyeon (懷德縣), Jeokjo-hyeon (赤鳥縣) became Deokjin-hyeon (德津縣), and Jinryeong-hyeon (鎭嶺縣) was changed to Jinjam-hyeon (鎭岑縣), while Yuseong-hyeon remained unchanged. According to the ten provinces established during King Seongjong's reign, the Daejeon area belonged to Hanam-do. All four prefectures were subordinate to Gongju-mok (公州牧), which had been elevated to one of the twelve administrative districts known as "mok."{{Cite web |script-title=ko:대전은 어떤 도시인가 |url=https://monthly.chosun.com/client/news/viw.asp?ctcd=&nNewsNumb=200904100081 |website=Monthly Chosun | date=7 April 2009 |language=Ko}}

Later, during King Hyeonjong's reign, the implementation of the Five Provinces and Two Frontier Regions system placed the four prefectures under Yanggwang-do. Gongju-mok was downgraded back to simply Gongju, but the four prefectures remained its subordinate counties.{{cite web | url=https://encykorea.aks.ac.kr/Article/E0063417 | script-title=ko:현종 (顯宗) }}

Subsequently, during King Myeongjong's reign, Hoedeok-hyeon and Jinjam-hyeon were promoted to "ju-hyeon" (main counties), and officials known as "Gamwu" (監務){{efn|Later renamed to Hyeongam (縣監), this official was lower in rank than the Hyeongryeong (縣令), who was also dispatched to a county/prefecture (hyeon).}} were dispatched, initiating independent administration. This autonomy continued into the Joseon Dynasty, where they remained separate districts. However, Yuseong-hyeon and Deokjin-hyeon did not gain independence and continued as subordinate counties of Gongju.{{cite web | url=https://encykorea.aks.ac.kr/Article/E0018365 | script-title=ko:명종 (明宗) }}

Meanwhile, there were special administrative districts called "hyang," "bugok," and "so." Among these, the most famous was Myeonghakso (鳴鶴所), known as the site of the Mang Yi and Mang Soi Rebellion. This area is believed to have been located in what is now Tanbang-dong in Seo-gu.{{cite web | url=https://www.ohmynews.com/NWS_Web/View/at_pg.aspx?CNTN_CD=A0002537187&CMPT_CD=P0010&utm_source=naver&utm_medium=newsearch&utm_campaign=naver_news | script-title=ko:주변이 소란스러워 마음이 흔들릴 때, 여기에 가보시라 | date=17 May 2019 }}{{Unreliable source?|reason=See unreliable sources list on WP:KO/RS|date=November 2024}}

During the Joseon period, Hoedeok-hyeon and Jinjam-hyeon were each elevated to Hoedeok-gun and Jinjam-gun, respectively. The area that is now the central part of Daejeon remained a small rural village within Gongju, which had been re-elevated to Gongju-mok during the reign of King Chung-hye of Goryeo. Notable figures like Song Si-yeol of the Eunjin Song clan lived in this vicinity, and the place name Songchon-dong, related to them, still exists as one of Daejeon's districts. Additionally, the Hoedeok Hwang clan established their base in the Hoedeok-hyeon area. Meanwhile, the name "Daejeon" (大田), which is the Hanja transcription of the native term "Hanbat" ({{Korean|hangul=한밭|labels=no}}) for Great Fields, first appeared in records in the early Joseon period, in Tongguk yŏji sŭngnam, and continues to be used today.

Until 1906, the current central area of Daejeon was part of Gongju, not Hoedeok or Jinjam, before it was incorporated into Hoedeok-gun. Of course, that elongated territory of Gongju wasn't Gongju land in the narrow sense; rather, as the concept of subordinate prefectures (sokhyeon) like Yuseong-hyeon and Deokjin-hyeon disappeared and were absorbed into Gongju itself, the territory expanded accordingly.{{cite web | url=https://encykorea.aks.ac.kr/Article/E0066977 | script-title=ko:대덕구(대전광역시) (大德區(大田廣域市)) }}

However, the now Yuseong area remained part of Gongju until it was transferred during the establishment of Daejeon-gun in 1914. With Yuseong joining Daejeon-gun, the region roughly restored the combined territory of the central area and its subordinate prefectures from the times of Usul-gun and Bipung-gun.

What transformed the history of Daejeon was the finalization of the Gyeongbu Line railway route in 1900. After Daejeon Station was established in Daejeon-ri, Sannae-myeon, Gongju County, in 1904, population influx began and urbanization took off. In 1906, when Sannae-myeon was incorporated into Hoedeok County, the Hoedeok County Office also moved from its original location in Hoedeok town to the urban area of Daejeon.

In 1914, during the major reorganization of administrative districts by the Japanese Governor-General of Korea, the existing Hoedeok County and Jinjam County, along with Yuseong-myeon (Yuseong Township) of Gongju County, were merged to form Daejeon County (大田郡). Had the name Hoedeok County been retained, the city might be called "Hoedeok Metropolitan City" today. Instead, the name "Daejeon," which was simply the name of the village where the train station was located, was adopted as the new county name, replacing the traditional name Hoedeok.

In 1963, Daejeon expanded its territory by incorporating the entire Yucheon-myeon of Daedeok-gun, and parts of Sannae and Hoedeok-myeon. From this point, Sannae-myeon of Daedeok-gun became an actual exclave.

In 1973, Buk-myeon and Yuseong-myeon of Daedeok-gun were each elevated to Sintanjin-eup and Yuseong-eup, respectively. In 1977, the ward system (gu-je) was implemented in Daejeon, establishing two wards: Jung-gu and Dong-gu. In 1983, Daejeon further expanded by incorporating the entire areas of Yuseong-eup and Hoedeok-myeon of Daedeok-gun, and parts of Tan-dong, Gujeok, Jinjam, and Giseong-myeon. At this time, Daedeok-gun was split into two separate parts. This situation continued until 1989, when Daedeok-gun was abolished and Daejeon was elevated to a Directly Governed City. Just before this elevation in 1988, Seo-gu was separated from Jung-gu. In 1989, Daedeok-gun was abolished and merged into Daejeon, and the integrated Daejeon of Chungcheongnam-do was elevated to Daejeon Directly Governed City. Simultaneously, Yuseong District was separated from Seo-gu, and Daedeok District from Dong-gu, completing the current system of five districts.

File:1993 Daejeon Expo Mascot.jpg

In 1993, the city hosted the 1993 Daejeon Expo, which increased its national profile. The yellow alien mascot "Kumdori" appeared in various products such as plush toys and animations, becoming one of Daejeon's mascots. After the Expo ended, the facilities and site were utilized to open the Expo Science Park, but some exhibition halls are now almost closed. Although it had the smallest population among the five Directly Governed Cities, it surpassed Gwangju Metropolitan City in population in 1995. In the same year, it was renamed to the current Daejeon Metropolitan City.

In the late 1980s, Daejeon was elevated to the status of Special City (Jikhalsi), thus became a separate administrative region from South Chungcheong Province. In 1995, all South Korean Special Cities were again renamed as Metropolitan Cities, which is reflected in the current official name of Daejeon, Daejeon Metropolitan City ({{Korean|hangul=대전광역시|labels=no}}).

In the 1980s, the Korean administration began moving various national government operations from Seoul to Daejeon, eventually opening the Daejeon Government Complex in 1997. Today, the national government offices in Daejeon include Korea Customs Service, Small and Medium Business Administration, Public Procurement Service, National Statistical Office, Military Manpower Administration, Korea Forest Service, Cultural Heritage Administration, Korean Intellectual Property Office, Korail, Korea Water Resources Corporation, Korea Minting and Security Printing Corporation and Patent Court of Korea.

The population of Daejeon increased dramatically as a result of the government center.{{cite news |first=Changyeop |last=Oh |title=Daejeon, Larger Population than Gwangju |url=http://www.prometheus.co.kr/articles/113/20060322/20060322151300.html |work=Prometheus |date=22 March 2006 |access-date=22 February 2007 |language=ko |quote={{lang|ko|이러한 대전의 인구증가 요인은 지난 1998년 정부대전청사 이전과 한국철도공사, 특허법원, 대덕연구단지 등이 자리를 잡은 것과 관련이 있다.}} |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928142523/http://www.prometheus.co.kr/articles/113/20060322/20060322151300.html |archive-date=28 September 2007}} With the construction of Sejong Special Self-Governing City in 2013 for the division of capital functions and balanced local development, many of the public institutions that had previously headed to Daejeon were moved to Sejong, and many public institutions in Seoul were also moved to Sejong. With the launch of Sejong City, large-scale development began, resulting in infrastructure construction and large-scale apartment complexes. Sejong is located immediately north of Daejeon, and Daejeon citizens began to outflow to Sejong. As of July 2020, there was net outflow of more than 100,000 people from Daejeon to Sejong.{{Cite web |last=기자 |first=정바름 |date=2023-01-30 |title=2022년 세종·충남 인구 유입↑… '탈 대전'은 현재 진행형 |url=https://m.joongdo.co.kr/view.php?key=20230130010007618 |access-date=2025-05-29 |website=중도일보 |language=ko}}

Daejeon lies between latitudes N36°10'59" and N36°30'1" and longitudes E127°14'48" and E127°33'35" near the middle of South Korea. It is {{cvt|167.3|km|mi|1}} from Seoul, {{cvt|294|km|0}} from Busan and {{cvt|169|km|0}} from Gwangju.

Known historically as 'big field,' the city lies inside a great circle surrounded by several mountains, with Gyeryongsan National Park straddling the city border on the west, and the foot of the Sobaek Mountain range just beyond the city to the south and east. Three rivers run through the center of the city: Gapcheon ({{Korean|hangul=갑천|labels=no}}), Yudeungcheon ({{Korean|hangul=유등천|labels=no}}), and Daejeoncheon ({{Korean|hangul=대전천|labels=no}}). These flow roughly from south to north, eventually joining the Geum River which borders the city on the northeast. The river changes direction after leaving Daejeon, turning to the southwest and eventually emptying into the Yellow Sea near Gunsan.{{Cite web |date=2022-08-08 |script-title=ko:지형여건 {{!}} 대전광역시청 |url=https://www.daejeon.go.kr/drh/DrhContentsHtmlView.do?menuSeq=2035 |access-date=2022-10-03 |archive-date=8 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220808110051/https://www.daejeon.go.kr/drh/DrhContentsHtmlView.do?menuSeq=2035 |url-status=bot: unknown}}

{{climate chart

| Daejeon

| −5.5 | 4.1 | 25.5

| -3.6 | 7.0 | 37.2

| 1.1 | 12.7 | 51.6

| 6.9 | 19.4 | 81.6

| 12.8 | 24.5 | 91.8

| 18.1 | 27.9 | 167.3

| 22.2 | 29.6 | 306.9

| 22.5 | 30.3 | 299.8

| 17.0 | 26.3 | 152.5

| 9.4 | 20.8 | 59.3

| 2.8 | 13.5 | 48.0

| -3.4 | 6.2 | 29.7

|float=right}}

Daejeon has a monsoon-influenced, four-season climate that lies between the humid subtropical and humid continental climatic classifications (Köppen Cwa/Dwa, respectively), with slightly more mild temperature extremes compared to Seoul. Winters are cold and dry with monthly mean temperature of {{cvt|−1.0|°C|1}} in January. Summers are hot and humid with a monthly mean temperature of {{cvt|25.6|°C|1}} in August. The heaviest rainfall during the year typically occurs from July through August during the Korean monsoon season.{{Cite web |date=2022-01-29 |title=Archived copy |url=https://data.kma.go.kr/resources/normals/pdf_data/korea_pdf_0106_v2.pdf |access-date=2022-10-03 |archive-date=29 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220129211110/https://data.kma.go.kr/resources/normals/pdf_data/korea_pdf_0106_v2.pdf |url-status=bot: unknown}}

{{Weather box

| location = Daejeon (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1969–present)

| metric first = Y

| single line = Y

| Jan record high C = 16.6

| Feb record high C = 22.6

| Mar record high C = 29.3

| Apr record high C = 30.4

| May record high C = 33.3

| Jun record high C = 35.7

| Jul record high C = 37.7

| Aug record high C = 39.4

| Sep record high C = 36.0

| Oct record high C = 31.2

| Nov record high C = 26.3

| Dec record high C = 19.8

| year record high C = 39.4

| Jan high C = 4.1

| Feb high C = 7.0

| Mar high C = 12.7

| Apr high C = 19.4

| May high C = 24.5

| Jun high C = 27.9

| Jul high C = 29.6

| Aug high C = 30.3

| Sep high C = 26.3

| Oct high C = 20.8

| Nov high C = 13.5

| Dec high C = 6.2

| year high C = 18.5

| Jan mean C = -1.0

| Feb mean C = 1.4

| Mar mean C = 6.6

| Apr mean C = 13.0

| May mean C = 18.5

| Jun mean C = 22.7

| Jul mean C = 25.5

| Aug mean C = 26.0

| Sep mean C = 21.2

| Oct mean C = 14.6

| Nov mean C = 7.7

| Dec mean C = 1.0

| year mean C = 13.1

| Jan low C = -5.5

| Feb low C = -3.6

| Mar low C = 1.1

| Apr low C = 6.9

| May low C = 12.8

| Jun low C = 18.1

| Jul low C = 22.2

| Aug low C = 22.5

| Sep low C = 17.0

| Oct low C = 9.4

| Nov low C = 2.8

| Dec low C = -3.4

| year low C = 8.4

| Jan record low C = -18.6

| Feb record low C = -19.0

| Mar record low C = -10.7

| Apr record low C = -2.9

| May record low C = 3.1

| Jun record low C = 8.1

| Jul record low C = 13.0

| Aug record low C = 12.3

| Sep record low C = 4.2

| Oct record low C = -2.9

| Nov record low C = -11.4

| Dec record low C = -17.7

| year record low C = -19.0

| precipitation colour = green

| Jan precipitation mm = 25.5

| Feb precipitation mm = 37.2

| Mar precipitation mm = 51.6

| Apr precipitation mm = 81.6

| May precipitation mm = 91.8

| Jun precipitation mm = 167.3

| Jul precipitation mm = 306.9

| Aug precipitation mm = 299.8

| Sep precipitation mm = 152.5

| Oct precipitation mm = 59.3

| Nov precipitation mm = 48.0

| Dec precipitation mm = 29.7

| year precipitation mm = 1351.2

| unit precipitation days = 0.1 mm

| Jan precipitation days = 8.0

| Feb precipitation days = 7.0

| Mar precipitation days = 8.3

| Apr precipitation days = 8.3

| May precipitation days = 8.2

| Jun precipitation days = 9.9

| Jul precipitation days = 16.4

| Aug precipitation days = 14.8

| Sep precipitation days = 9.1

| Oct precipitation days = 6.1

| Nov precipitation days = 8.5

| Dec precipitation days = 9.3

| year precipitation days =

| Jan snow days = 9.8

| Feb snow days = 6.0

| Mar snow days = 2.8

| Apr snow days = 0.2

| May snow days = 0.0

| Jun snow days = 0.0

| Jul snow days = 0.0

| Aug snow days = 0.0

| Sep snow days = 0.0

| Oct snow days = 0.1

| Nov snow days = 2.1

| Dec snow days = 7.9

| year snow days =

| Jan humidity = 65.3

| Feb humidity = 60.3

| Mar humidity = 57.9

| Apr humidity = 56.9

| May humidity = 62.4

| Jun humidity = 69.8

| Jul humidity = 79.1

| Aug humidity = 78.2

| Sep humidity = 75.3

| Oct humidity = 71.8

| Nov humidity = 69.3

| Dec humidity = 67.9

| year humidity = 67.9

| Jan sun = 168.2

| Feb sun = 176.2

| Mar sun = 207.7

| Apr sun = 220.5

| May sun = 239.8

| Jun sun = 198.5

| Jul sun = 155.5

| Aug sun = 177.0

| Sep sun = 180.3

| Oct sun = 205.1

| Nov sun = 162.4

| Dec sun = 162.5

| year sun = 2253.7

| Jan percentsun = 52.7

| Feb percentsun = 56.1

| Mar percentsun = 54.0

| Apr percentsun = 54.0

| May percentsun = 51.2

| Jun percentsun = 41.3

| Jul percentsun = 31.4

| Aug percentsun = 37.6

| Sep percentsun = 45.1

| Oct percentsun = 56.1

| Nov percentsun = 52.5

| Dec percentsun = 53.9

| year percentsun = 48.0

| Jan uv = 2

| Feb uv = 2

| Mar uv = 3

| Apr uv = 4

| May uv = 5

| Jun uv = 6

| Jul uv = 6

| Aug uv = 5

| Sep uv = 5

| Oct uv = 3

| Nov uv = 2

| Dec uv = 2

| source 1 = Korea Meteorological Administration (percent sunshine 1981–2010)

{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220129211110/https://data.kma.go.kr/resources/normals/pdf_data/korea_pdf_0106_v2.pdf |archive-date=29 January 2022 |url=https://data.kma.go.kr/resources/normals/pdf_data/korea_pdf_0106_v2.pdf |title=Climatological Normals of Korea (1991 ~ 2020) |publisher=Korea Meteorological Administration |access-date=4 April 2022 |language=ko}}{{cite web |url=https://data.kma.go.kr/climate/extremum/selectExtremumList.do?pgmNo=103 |publisher=Korea Meteorological Administration |access-date=4 April 2022 |script-title=ko:순위값 – 구역별조회 |language=ko |archive-date=7 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211007220002/https://data.kma.go.kr/climate/extremum/selectExtremumList.do?pgmNo=103 |url-status=live }}

{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161207185450/http://www.kma.go.kr/down/Climatological_2010.pdf |archive-date=7 December 2016 |url=http://www.kma.go.kr/down/Climatological_2010.pdf |publisher=Korea Meteorological Administration |access-date=8 December 2016 |title=Climatological Normals of Korea |date=2011}}

| source 2 = Weather Atlas (UV){{Cite web |url=https://www.weather-atlas.com/en/south-korea/daejeon-climate |title=Daejeon, South Korea – Detailed climate information and monthly weather forecast |publisher=Yu Media Group |website=Weather Atlas |language=en |access-date=9 July 2019 |archive-date=19 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200919021449/https://www.weather-atlas.com/en/south-korea/daejeon-climate |url-status=live }}

}}

File:Map_Daejeon-gwangyeoksi.png

Daejeon is divided into five political "gu" or "districts": Seogu ({{Korean|hangul=서구|labels=no}}), Donggu ({{Korean|hangul=동구|labels=no}}), Yuseonggu ({{Korean|hangul=유성구|labels=no}}), Daedeokgu ({{Korean|hangul=대덕구|labels=no}}), and Junggu ({{Korean|hangul=중구|labels=no}}).{{Cite web |date=2022-09-06 |script-title=ko:행정구역 {{!}} 대전광역시청 |url=https://daejeon.go.kr/drh/DrhContentsHtmlView.do?menuSeq=1716 |access-date=2022-10-03 |archive-date=6 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220906031310/https://daejeon.go.kr/drh/DrhContentsHtmlView.do?menuSeq=1716 |url-status=bot: unknown}}

{{Historical populations|1970|406910|1980|651792|1990|1049578|2000|1368207|2010|1501859|2020|1488435|align=right|source={{Cite web |url=https://population.un.org/wup/ |title=World Urbanization Prospects |access-date=20 February 2020 |archive-date=19 January 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200119092357/https://population.un.org/wup/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |title=Population Census|url=https://kosis.kr/statHtml/statHtml.do?orgId=101&tblId=DT_1IN0001_ENG&vw_cd=MT_ETITLE&list_id=A111&scrId=&language=en&seqNo=&lang_mode=en&obj_var_id=&itm_id=&conn_path=MT_ETITLE&path=%252Feng%252FstatisticsList%252FstatisticsListIndex.do|publisher=Statistics Korea}}}}Daejeon is the fifth most populous city in Korea, with 1,467,468 registered residents as of 2023. The most populous district is Seo District (473,851 residents), although the district lost 32,219 residents since 2006, it remains the most densely populated in the city at 4,960 inhabitants per square kilometer (4,960/km2).{{Cite web |last=송 |first=한경 |date=2023-04-19 |script-title=ko:2023년 1분기 주민등록인구통계 |url=https://www.daejeon.go.kr/sta/StaStatisticsFldView.do?ntatcSeq=1426876799&menuSeq=180&colmn1Cont=C0201&colmn2Cont=C020104&boardId=normal_0009&pageIndex=1# |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230501145851/https://www.daejeon.go.kr/sta/StaStatisticsFldView.do?ntatcSeq=1426876799&menuSeq=180&colmn1Cont=C0201&colmn2Cont=C020104&boardId=normal_0009&pageIndex=1 |archive-date=2023-05-01 |access-date=2023-05-02 |website=Daejeon Metropolitan City |publisher=Daejeon Metropolitan City Policy Planning Department}}

As of 2023, the number of registered foreign residents in Daejeon was 21,949 (1.5% of the total population) with the largest representations being Vietnamese (0.5%), and Chinese or Korean-Chinese (0.2%). There are also smaller numbers of registered residents (0.1% or less in each case) from Uzbekistan, Mongolia, United States, Philippines, Indonesia, India, Japan, Thailand, Bangladesh, Nepal, Taiwan, Pakistan, Russia, France, United Kingdom, Canada, Germany, and Turkey.{{cite web |url=https://www.daejeon.go.kr/sta/StaStatisticsFldList.do?menuSeq=180&colmn1Cont=C0201&colmn2Cont=C020104 |title=Daejeon Population statistics |access-date=14 March 2022 |archive-date=14 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230714043142/https://www.daejeon.go.kr/sta/StaStatisticsFldList.do?menuSeq=180&colmn1Cont=C0201&colmn2Cont=C020104 |url-status=live}}

File:Population of Daejeon, South Korea.svg

{{Pie chart

|thumb = right

|caption = Religion in Daejeon (2024){{cite web |title=2024 종교인식조사] 종교인구 현황과 종교 활동 |date=11 December 2024 |trans-title=Status of religious population and religious activities in South Korea (2024) |url=https://hrcopinion.co.kr/archives/31599 |language=ko}}

|label1 = Not religious

|value1 = 51

|color1 = Grey

|label2 = Buddhism

|value2 = 17

|color2 = Gold

|label3 = Protestantism

|value3 = 21

|color3 = DodgerBlue

|label4 = Catholicism

|value4 = 10

|color4 = DarkOrchid

|label5 = Others

|value5 = 2

|color5 = Black

}}

According to the census of 2005, of the people of Daejeon, 21.8% follow Buddhism and 31.2% follow Christianity (20.5% Protestantism and 10.7% Catholicism).[http://www.sisapress.com/news/photo/200610/41926_37953_1632.jpg 2005 Census – Religion Results] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150904074206/http://www.sisapress.com/news/photo/200610/41926_37953_1632.jpg |date=4 September 2015}}

{{Multiple issues|{{tone|date=September 2022}}

{{more citations needed|date=September 2022}}|section=y}}

During the Joseon Dynasty, education institutions in Daejeon included Hoedeok Hyanggyo in Eumnae-dong, Daedeok District, and Jinjam Hyanggyo in Gyochon-dong, Yuseong District. Additionally, there were institutions such as Sungheon Seowon (崇賢書院), Dosan Seowon, and Jeongjeol Seowon (靖節書院). Sungheon Seowon was rebuilt in 1609 (the first year of King Gwanghaegun) by Song Nam-su (宋柟壽) after being destroyed during the Imjin War, and its ruins remain in Wonchon-dong.

File:Korea-Daejeon-Uam Historic Park-01.jpg

Jeongjeol Seowon was established in Geyang-dong in 1684 (the 10th year of King Sukjong), and Dosan Seowon was founded in Tanbang-dong in 1711, contributing to the education of local yangsengs (young scholars). However, it was abolished by the Seowon Abolition Order issued by Heungseon Daewongun during King Gojong's reign. In addition, much education was conducted through privately established seodangs (서당/private schools) and ganghakdang (강학당/private academies).

In 1585 (the 18th year of King Seonjo), Nambunbong (南奮鵬)'s Bongsojae (鳳巢齋) was established in Seokgyo-dong. During King Injo's reign, Kim Gyeong-yeo (金慶餘) established Song-aedang in Hoedeok 2-dong. During King Sukjong's reign, Song Si-yeol established Namganjeongsa ({{Korean|hangul=남간정사|labels=no}}), and in the late Joseon period, Song Byeong-seon established Seoknamjae (石南齋) in Seongnam-dong.

As of the current period, there are 146 elementary schools, 88 middle schools, 62 high schools, 5 special schools, and 5 technical colleges,11 universities.

Regarding libraries, Daejeon is home to the Daejeon Lifelong Learning Center, Student Education and Culture Center, Hanbat Library, Yongun Library, Galma Library, Seongnam Library, Yuseong Library, Ansan Library in Daedeok District, Braille Library, Gasuwon Library, Donggu Gaowol Library, and Panam Library.

Major public universities in Daejeon include:

• Chungnam National University, a flagship national university established for the South Chungcheong Province. Chungnam National University specializes in biotechnology, medicine, and the agricultural sciences.
• Daejeon Chungnam University, a campus in the four-year Korea National Open University system.
• Hanbat National University, a university that specializes in partnerships between industry and academia.
• Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), the nation's first public research-oriented science and engineering institution. The university was ranked as the best Asian science and technology school by Asiaweek in 2000.{{cite news |date=30 June 2000 |title=Asia's Best Universities 2000 |work=Asiaweek |url=http://www.asiaweek.com/asiaweek/features/universities2000/scitech/sci.overall.html |access-date=21 February 2007 |archive-date=20 February 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070220003917/http://www.asiaweek.com/asiaweek/features/universities2000/scitech/sci.overall.html |url-status=dead }} KAIST has been internationally accredited in business education.{{Cite web |title=KAIST College of Business |url=https://www.business.kaist.edu/about/010301 |access-date=2024-03-31 |website=www.business.kaist.edu}}

File:Chungnam National University Law School Building N12.jpg

File:KAIST, August 2019 1.jpg Campus]]

Major private universities in Daejeon include:

• Mokwon University, a Korean Methodist institution.
• Pai Chai University, founded in 1885, one of the oldest private universities in South Korea.
• Woosong University, with a specialized curriculum based on international exchange, foreign-language, and IT education.
• Hannam University, founded in 1956 by Christian missionaries, with a main campus in O-Jeong Dong (site of the historic Missionary Village), and a branch campus is in Techno Valley.

Specialized high schools and academies include:

• Daejeon Foreign Language High School is a high school focused on foreign language teaching. The school provides language education of 7 majors including English, German, French, Spanish, Chinese, Japanese, and Russian.{{citation needed|date=September 2022}}
• Daejeon Science High School is a high school focused on teaching science.{{cite web |title=Daejeon Science High School |url=http://www.djs.hs.kr/ |access-date=21 February 2007 |language=ko |archive-date=24 March 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070324073656/http://www.djs.hs.kr/ |url-status=dead}} High schools in South Korea usually do not require special entrance exams.
• Taejon Christian International School is a non-profit international school.{{citation needed|date=September 2022}}

Other Private schools include:

• Bomoon High School

{{Multiple issues|{{tone|date=September 2022}}

{{more citations needed|date=September 2022}}|section=y}}

Daejeon is known as the research and development hub of Korea. In addition to KAIST and the Institute for Basic Science, it is home to more than 20 other government research institutions, and various corporate research centers, mostly located around Daedeok Innopolis in Yuseong District north of the Gapcheon river.{{Cite web |title=Korea's Largest R&D Hub {{!}} Daejeon |url=https://www.investkorea.org/dj-en/cntnts/i-1272/web.do |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230502041613/https://www.investkorea.org/dj-en/cntnts/i-1272/web.do |archive-date=2023-05-02 |access-date=2023-05-02 |website=www.investkorea.org |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Research Centers |url=https://www.ibs.re.kr/eng/sub02_00.do |access-date=2023-05-02 |website=www.ibs.re.kr |archive-date=2 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230502042704/https://www.ibs.re.kr/eng/sub02_00.do |url-status=live }}

Fields of research undertaken in Daejeon include telecommunications, nanofabrication, biotechnology, water, nuclear and hydro power, nuclear fusion, design, measurement technologies, mechanical engineering, fuel cells, aeronautics, new materials, robotics, new drugs, and environmental technologies. Daedeok Innopolis' membership includes 898 corporations, 35 government-invested and sponsored institutions; six universities, and 15 public organizations.{{citation needed|date=January 2013}}File:KAIST from across Gapcheon.jpgResearch institutes in Daedeok include the Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB), the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI), Electronic and Telecommunications Research Institute (ETRI), Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI), Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute (KASI), Korea Fusion Energy Research Institute (KFERI), National Nanofab Center, Korea Basic Science Institute (KBSI), Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Korea Institute of Machinery and Materials (KIMM), Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology (KRICT), Korea Institute of Science and Technology Information (KISTI), Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science (KRISS), Marine and Ocean Engineering Research Institute, Institute of Information Technology Advancement (IITA), Korea Institute of Geosciences and Mineral Resources, Agency for Defense Development (ADD), Korea Institute of Toxicology (KIT), Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine, Korea Institute of Nuclear Non-proliferation and Control, National Institute for Mathematical Sciences (NIMS), Korea Institute of Nuclear Safety (KINS), Rare Isotope Science Project (RISP), National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF), and the National Security Research Institute. Among the technology produced in Daedeok are ETRI's wireless communications systems CDMA, WIBRO, and DMB, KRIBB's nano biochips, KARI's KOMPSAT satellites, and NFRI's KSTAR nuclear fusion experimental reactor.{{Cite web |url=https://www.nfri.re.kr/eng/index |title=NFRI Index |access-date=7 August 2020 |archive-date=22 February 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180222230257/https://www.nfri.re.kr/eng/index |url-status=dead }}

Daedeok is also home to 21 corporate research centers with global reach surrounded by an equal number of smaller firms. Some of the notable corporate research centers are Dongbu Advanced Research Institute (biotechnology, microorganisms and agrichemicals), GS-Caltex Value Creation Center (environmentally friendly products including substitutes for oil), Hanwha Chemical Research (biotechnology, electronics materials, catalysts, and nanotechnology), Honam Petrochemical Daeduk Research Institute (synthetic chemistry and petrochemicals), LG Chemical LTD. Research Park (lithium ion battery and polymer battery development), Samyang R&D Center (medical research and electronics), and SK Institute of Technology (petroleum-related research).{{citation needed|date=September 2022}}

Public corporation research institutes such as Korea Electric Power Research Institute (hydroelectric projects and nuclear energy), Korea Institute of Construction Materials (authorized test agency for construction materials), and Korea Institute of Aerospace Technology (aerospace design, satellites, launch technologies) are also part of the Daedeok system.{{citation needed|date=September 2022}}

On 16 May 2013, Daejeon was selected as the core of the International Science and Business Belt. {{cite journal |author=공감코리아(sympathyKorea) |title=Management Division International Science and Business Belt implementation plan, 2012 |journal=공감코리아(sympathyKorea) archive |date=21 March 2012 |volume=publish in book form |pages=1–93 [4] |url=http://www.korea.kr/archive/expDocView.do?docId=31435 |access-date=7 April 2013 |archive-date=8 April 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130408011145/http://www.korea.kr/archive/expDocView.do?docId=31435 |url-status=live }}

Besides a tire production facility, Hankook has its main research & development centre in Daejeon.{{cite web |url=http://www.trucktrend.com/features/consumer/163_0812_hankook_tire_present_and_future/enfren_tires.html |title=Hankook Tire Review – Enfren Tires |work=Truck Trend |publisher=Trucktrend.com |date=17 December 2008 |access-date=22 March 2014 |archive-date=6 March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140306065416/http://www.trucktrend.com/features/consumer/163_0812_hankook_tire_present_and_future/enfren_tires.html |url-status=live }}

File:Daejeon Expo Science Park (dry river).jpg

File:Daejeon Culture and Arts Center.jpg

Daejeon is the home of multiple arts and culture complexes, mostly centered around the Daedeok area. These include:

• Daejeon Museum of Art which hosts primarily technology-oriented modern and contemporary exhibitions
• Daejeon Arts Center which is home to local music and theater groups including the Daejeon Philharmonic Orchestra
• Laurent Beaudouin-designed Lee Ungno Museum, a large permanent collection of works by or related to the prominent Korean artist Lee Ungno{{Cite web |script-title=ko:대전시립미술관 |url=https://terms.naver.com/entry.naver?cid=46660&docId=1820860&categoryId=46660 |access-date=2022-10-03 |website=terms.naver.com |language=ko |archive-date=3 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221003062847/https://terms.naver.com/entry.naver?cid=46660&docId=1820860&categoryId=46660 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |title=Daejeon Arts and Culture Center |url=https://www.daejeon.go.kr/djac/en/enContentsHtmlView.do?menuSeq=6956 |access-date=3 October 2022 |archive-date=3 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221003062848/https://www.daejeon.go.kr/djac/en/enContentsHtmlView.do?menuSeq=6956 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |title=Lee Ungno Museum, Daejeon, South Korea |url=https://artsandculture.google.com/partner/lee-ungno-museum |access-date=2022-10-03 |website=Google Arts & Culture |language=en |archive-date=3 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221003062846/https://artsandculture.google.com/partner/lee-ungno-museum |url-status=live }}
• Expo Science Park, built on the grounds of the former international exposition (Taejŏn Expo '93) is home to the Institute for Basic Science and the National Science Museum, Korea's flagship science museum which features a main exhibition hall highlighting harmony between nature, man, and technology, as well as dedicated buildings related to natural history, future technology, biosphere, a children's science museum, and an astronomical observatory.{{cite web |title=History |url=http://www.science.go.kr/center/eng/html/guide/guide_c__0010.html |access-date=28 February 2007 |work=National Science Museum of Korea |archive-date=29 August 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070829032027/http://www.science.go.kr/center/eng/html/guide/guide_c__0010.html |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |title=Exhibition Guide |url=https://www.science.go.kr/board?menuId=MENU00694&siteId= |access-date=2022-05-10 |website=science.go.kr |archive-date=25 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220625072515/https://www.science.go.kr/board?menuId=MENU00694&siteId= |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |title=Campus Map |url=https://www.science.go.kr/board?menuId=MENU00637&siteId= |access-date=2022-05-10 |website=science.go.kr |archive-date=10 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220510070025/https://www.science.go.kr/board?menuId=MENU00637&siteId= |url-status=live }}{{cite web |author= |date=21 December 2017 |title=Information on Relocation of IBS HQ |url=https://www.ibs.re.kr/cop/bbs/BBSMSTR_000000000761/selectBoardArticle.do?nttId=15248 |access-date=17 January 2018 |website=ibs.re.kr |publisher=HQ Relocation Team |archive-date=12 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612142835/https://www.ibs.re.kr/cop/bbs/BBSMSTR_000000000761/selectBoardArticle.do?nttId=15248 |url-status=live }}
• Geological Museum, belonging to the Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources
• Daejeon Citizen's Observatory which houses a 10-inch refracting telescope and is the first citizen observatory in Korea{{Cite web |date=2006-05-06 |title=Archived copy |url=http://museum.kigam.re.kr/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060506064502/http://museum.kigam.re.kr/ |archive-date=6 May 2006 |access-date=2022-05-10}}{{Cite web |script-title=ko:대전시민천문대 |url=http://djstar.kr/ |access-date=2022-05-10 |website=djstar.kr |language=ko |archive-date=9 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220509103029/https://www.djstar.kr/ |url-status=live }}

Other arts spaces in the city include the six-floor Daejeon Artist House, performing arts center, and the Natural Ecology Center at Daecheong Lake.{{Cite web |script-title=ko:대전문화재단 – 대전예술가의 집 – 소개 |url=https://dcaf.or.kr/web/page.do?menuIdx=446 |access-date=2021-12-04 |website=dcaf.or.kr |language=ko |archive-date=4 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211204084810/https://dcaf.or.kr/web/page.do?menuIdx=446 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |script-title=ko:대전광역시 동구 관광문화축제 |url=https://www.donggu.go.kr/dg/tour/contents/542 |access-date=2022-05-10 |website=donggu.go.kr |language=ko |archive-date=21 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220621105309/https://www.donggu.go.kr/dg/tour/contents/542 |url-status=live }}

File:View from the East Garden in Daejeon Hanbat Arboritum, Daejeon, Korea.jpg

Daejeon citizens are recognized for their fondness of nature, with most mountains, hot springs, and rivers freely open for public use. Many of the city's modern-day traditions, festivals, attractions, and industries are linked in some way to important mountains, rivers, and forests.{{Cite book |last=Kim |first=Yong-jae |title=Hanbit Tower and A Song of Asterism: A Literary Anthology For the Taejon EXPO'93 |publisher=Moonkyoung Publishing |year=1993 |location=Daejeon}}

Eight "beautiful sights" are designated by city government, including the mountains Sikjangsan, Bomunsan, Gubongsan ({{Korean|labels=no|구봉산}}), Jangtaesan, and Gyejoksan, the lake Daecheonghosu, as well as Yuseong Foot Spa, and Expo Science Park, which includes landmarks such as the Hanbit Tower and Expo Bridge.[http://tour.daejeon.go.kr/english/goodsights/theeightsights/theeightsights.jsp 8 good places] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090302050658/http://tour.daejeon.go.kr/english/goodsights/theeightsights/theeightsights.jsp |date=2 March 2009}} The Daejeon Hanbat Arboretum, built on the former parking lots of the World Expo, also holds the distinction of being the largest manmade arboretum in Korea.{{Cite web |last=이 |first=천열 |date=2009-05-12 |script-title=ko:9일 개장 국내 최대 인공 '대전 한밭수목원' 가보니 |url=https://www.seoul.co.kr/news/newsView.php?id=20090512026001 |url-status=live |access-date=20 August 2021 |website=Seoul Shinmun |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140201210444/http://www.seoul.co.kr/news/newsView.php?id=20090512026001 |archive-date=2014-02-01}}

File:Two_people_viewing_sunset_from_Bomunsan_(mountain)_Fortress_in_Daejeon,_Korea.jpg

Overlooking Daejeon from the south, Bomunsan Mountain park was established as a park in 1965. The park contains water springs, trails, Buddhist temples, and some heritage sites dating back as far as the Bronze Age. Facilities include a nature healing center, outdoor concert hall, and Daejeon O-World, a theme park which includes Daejeon Zoo, Joy Land, and Flower Land.{{Cite web|script-title=ko:보문산 > 중구 10경 > 가보고 싶은 그 곳, 중구 > |url=https://www.djjunggu.go.kr/prog/tursmCn/tour/sub03_01_03/view.do?cntNo=3 |access-date=2022-10-03 |website=djjunggu.go.kr |language=ko |archive-date=3 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221003062848/https://www.djjunggu.go.kr/prog/tursmCn/tour/sub03_01_03/view.do?cntNo=3 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |title=Bomunsan Forest Trail (보문산 행복 숲 둘레길) |url=https://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/ATR/SI_EN_3_1_1_1.jsp?cid=1752774 |access-date=2022-10-03 |website=VisitKorea.or.kr |language=en |archive-date=3 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221003062849/https://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/ATR/SI_EN_3_1_1_1.jsp?cid=1752774 |url-status=live }} The park is home to 160 species of 600 animals, 17 rides and themed gardens including Sounds garden, Herb Garden, and Rose Garden.{{Cite web |script-title=ko:대전 오월드 |url=https://www.oworld.kr/newkfsweb/kfs/dcco/dccoMainindex.do |access-date=2022-05-10 |website=oworld.kr |archive-date=29 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220529043759/https://www.oworld.kr/newkfsweb/kfs/dcco/dccoMainindex.do |url-status=live }}

Daejeon is a provincial center for the television, newspaper and publishing industries. Major television broadcasting companies, such as KBS and MBC, have branches in Daejeon; Daejeon Broadcasting Corporation (TJB) is a local television broadcaster based in Daejeon. Cable TV services are available in most apartments. Eight (8) channels of Mobile TV are provided with the digital radio channels. Several FM radio stations provide news and music on the air. KBS, MBC, TJB have their FM radio channels, there are Christian radio channels, FEBC and CBS, and traffic news channel TBN. Daejeon Ilbo is the major local newspaper which covers South Chungcheong Province.

Daejeon is home to both traditional folk festivals, and contemporary cultural celebrations. These include the Daejeon Science Festival, the Hyo Culture Root Festival, a Full Moon Festival, Yuseong Oncheon Festival, Geumgang Rojas Festival, Diku Festival, Gyejoksan Mountain Manbal Festival, Gyeonwoojik Women Festival, and various international food, drink, and music festivals throughout the seasons.{{Cite web |url=https://www.daejeon.go.kr/tou/TouContentsHtmlView.do?menuSeq=4086 |script-title=ko:대전관광 |website=daejeon.go.kr |access-date=31 May 2019 |archive-date=29 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181129052406/http://www.daejeon.go.kr/tou/TouContentsHtmlView.do?menuSeq=4086 |url-status=live }}

File:Daejeon World Cup Stadium.JPG]]{{More citations needed|date=October 2022}}

Daejeon is home to multiple professional teams and national and internationally active sports facilities. The Daejeon World Cup Stadium was constructed for the 2002 FIFA World Cup, hosting several games including the South Korea vs. Italy match in the round of 16.{{cite web |title=South Korea – Italy 2:1 (World Cup 2002 Japan/South Korea, Round of 16) |url=https://www.worldfootball.net/report/wm-2002-in-japan-suedkorea-achtelfinale-suedkorea-italien/ |website=worldfootball.net |access-date=29 October 2022 |language=en |archive-date=11 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180811025854/http://www.worldfootball.net/report/wm-2002-in-japan-suedkorea-achtelfinale-suedkorea-italien/ |url-status=live }} The facility is now the home of the city's football club. The Daejeon Hanbat Sports Complex was built in 1964, and was one of the host sites of the 1986 Asian Games, and also hosted preliminaries during the 1988 Olympic Games in Seoul. Today, with several of the facilities renovated, it hosts the city's professional baseball, K3 League football, and volleyball teams. The city is also home to LPGA golfers Pak Se-ri and Jang Jeong, and is the hometown of former New York Mets left-handed reliever Dae-sung Koo.{{Cite web |last=admin |title=Dae-Sung Koo – Society for American Baseball Research |url=https://sabr.org/bioproj/person/dae-sung-koo/ |access-date=2024-03-31 |language=en-US}}

The city is home to the K League 1 football club Daejeon Hana Citizen, playing home games at Daejeon World Cup Stadium, and the K3 League side Daejeon Korail, which plays home games at Daejeon Hanbat Sports Complex.{{citation needed|date=September 2022}}

File:Daejeon Hanbat Baseball Stadium Summer 2023.jpg]]

The Hanwha Eagles of the KBO League were founded in Daejeon in 1985. Between 1986 and 2024, they played their home games at the Daejeon Hanbat Baseball Stadium, built in Busa-dong in 1964, with an iconic view of Bomunsan in the outfield. The stadium was renovated and expanded in 2013, moving the outfield wall and expanding seating to 13,000.{{Cite web |script-title=ko:한밭야구장 |url=https://www.daejeon.go.kr/drh/DrhContentsHtmlView.do?menuSeq=2500 |website=대전광역시 |access-date=3 May 2022 |archive-date=14 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220514121640/https://www.daejeon.go.kr/drh/DrhContentsHtmlView.do?menuSeq=2500 |url-status=live }} Before the 2025 season, they moved to the newly-built Daejeon Hanwha Life Ballpark with a capacity of 20,000 spectators.{{cite web |title=New stadium in Daejeon to host 2025 KBO All-Star Game |url=https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/sports/2024/12/600_388014.html |website=The Korea Times |access-date=18 December 2024 |date=9 December 2024}}

The V-League men's volleyball club Daejeon Samsung Fire Bluefangs and the V-League women's volleyball club CheongKwanJang Red Sparks both play their home games at the Chungmu Gymnasium of the Daejeon Hanbat Sports Complex.{{citation needed|date=September 2022}}

{{More citations needed|date=October 2022}}

Daejeon is a center of transportation in South Korea, where two major expressways, Gyeongbu Expressway and Honam Expressway Branch, and two major railway lines, Gyeongbu railway and Honam railway, are joined. Travel time between Daejeon and Seoul using the KTX high-speed rail system is about 50 minutes. The nearest airport is Cheongju Airport, about a thirty-minute drive north. Direct bus connections to Incheon International Airport exist.{{citation needed|date=September 2022}}

{{main|Daejeon Metro}}

One line, Daejeon Subway Line 1, of a planned five-line subway system has been operating since 17 April 2007 (partial operations on this line began on 16 March 2006). This subway line connects Daejeon Station, located in the original city centre, with the more modern and more recently developed sections of this city, including Dunsan, where the city hall and a number of national government buildings are located.{{citation needed|date=September 2022}}

Notable differences between the Daejeon subway and the Seoul subway include narrower cars, no doors connecting cars, four cars per train rather than ten, and storage space under the seats for use by passengers.{{cite web |url=http://myiris.egloos.com/2409333 |title=Riding Daejeon Subway |work=iris's talk on above 18 & computers & and society |date=8 May 2006 |access-date=28 February 2007 |language=ko |archive-date=16 May 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070516222927/http://myiris.egloos.com/2409333 |url-status=live }} Originally, plastic tokens for toll were read by a proximity sensor when entering the turnstiles, and then inserted into a slot when exiting. The design of the tokens allowed them to be used for advertising.{{cite web |url=http://kfaction.egloos.com/1633853 |title=Visiting Daejeon Subway |work=Korean Faction |date=17 March 2006 |access-date=28 February 2007 |language=ko |quote={{lang|ko|뒷면에는 대전소재 배재대학교의 광고가 새겨져있었습니다.}} |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070103221027/http://kfaction.egloos.com/1633853 |archive-date=3 January 2007}} The system now employs the T-money system, a rechargeable series of Smart cards and other "smart" devices used for paying transportation fares. Platform screen doors are installed in the subway stations.{{citation needed|date=September 2022}}

The name of the public bicycle in South Korea is different for each region, and the name of the public bicycle in Daejeon is Tashu ({{Korean|hangul=타슈}}).{{Cite web |title=What is Tashu? |url=https://www.daejeon.go.kr/dre/DreContentsHtmlView.do?menuSeq=2874 |access-date=25 October 2021 |archive-date=29 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211129202751/https://www.daejeon.go.kr/dre/DreContentsHtmlView.do?menuSeq=2874 |url-status=live }} Tashu is an unmanned rental public bicycle service operated in Daejeon since 2008, and the basic rental fee is 500 won, and if one purchases a daily ticket, the bicycle can be used within an hour on that day.

File:롯데 시티 호텔 대전 평송 청소년 문화 센터.jpg|Pyeongsong Youth Cultural Center and blocks of flats of Dunsan-dong district from Lotte City Hotel Daejeon in 2020

File:대전시 동구8경 식장산.jpg|View of Daejeon from Sikjang Mountain, with Dong-gu in the foreground

File:Daejeon 2019-10-12 10.38.02 1.jpg|Daejeon at night

File:Moon-festival-daejeon PML5165-2.jpg|A new year's Moon Festival in Daejeon, Korea.

File:Wildflowers and a cyclist along Daejoncheon (river) in Daejeon, South Korea.jpg|Wildflowers and a bicycle trail along Daejeon stream in Daejeon, South Korea

File:Daejeoncheon river in Daejeon South Korea.jpg|Dadjeoncheon river bikeway

{{More citations needed|section|date=October 2024}}{{Div col|colwidth=18em}}

• An Yu-jin, singer (IZ*ONE, Ive)
• Kim Joon-ho, comedian
• Do Ji-han, actor
• Choi Sung-bong, singer
• Chung Eun-yong, policeman and activist
• Han Eun-jung, actress
• Yoon Joo-hee, actress
• Hyuk, singer (VIXX)
• Hong Jin-ho, television personality and former professional StarCraft player
• Hyesung, singer (Vanner)
• Ivy, singer and musical actress
• Kwon Sang-woo, actor
• Lee Na-eun, singer and actress (April), born in Cheongju. She moved to Daejeon before entering elementary school.
• Lee Yoon-ki, film director
• Rhie Won-bok, cartoonist
• Pak Se-ri, former professional golfer
• Joon Park, artist
• Ryu Su-jeong, singer (Lovelyz)
• Oh Sang-uk, fencer
• Shin Chaeho, independence activist, historian, anarchist, nationalist and the founder of Korean ethnic nationalist historiography
• Shin Seung-hun, singer-songwriter
• Song Joong-ki, actor
• Chen, singer, dancer, model and member of (Exo, Exo-CBX)
• Kyu Ha Kim, judoka
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• Kim Dong-hyun, singer (AB6IX)
• Yeo One, singer (Pentagon) and actor
• Kwak Dong-yeon, actor
• Heejin, singer (Loona, Loona 1/3, Artms)
• Yoon Seo-yeon, singer (tripleS)
• Park Shi-on, singer (tripleS)
• Lee Hae-in, figure skater
• Kim Duk-soo, traditional musician{{Cite web |last=Boram |first=Kim |date=2020-05-11 |title=Korean 'samulnori' master Kim Duk-soo stars in biographical musical |url=https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20200511005900315 |access-date=2023-10-20 |website=Yonhap News Agency |language=en}} {{div col end}}

Daejeon has sister city relationships with the following fourteen cities:{{Cite web |title=자매·우호협력도시 네트워크 구축 및 교류 |url=https://www.dic.or.kr/kor/sub03/menu_02_01_01_1.html |access-date=26 January 2025 |website=dic.or.kr |publisher=Daejeon Metropolitan City Foreign Resident Integrated Support Center |language=KO}}{{Cite web |title=Sister Cities |url=https://www.daejeon.go.kr/english/EngSisterCities.do?menuSeq=7028 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240810155833/https://www.daejeon.go.kr/english/EngSisterCities.do?menuSeq=7028 |archive-date=10 August 2024 |access-date=26 January 2025 |website=daejeon.go.kr}}

• {{flagicon|Japan}} Ōda, Japan (1987)
• {{flagicon|United States}} Seattle, United States (1989)
• {{flagicon|Hungary}} Budapest, Hungary (1994)
• {{flagicon|China}} Nanjing, China (1994)
• {{flagicon|Canada}} Calgary, Canada (1996)
• {{flagicon|Mexico}} Guadalajara, Mexico (1997)
• {{flagicon|Sweden}} Uppsala, Sweden (1999)
• {{flagicon|Russia}} Novosibirsk, Russia (2001)
• {{flagicon|Australia}} Brisbane, Australia (2002)
• {{flagicon|Vietnam}} Bình Dương Province, Vietnam (2005)
• {{flagicon|Japan}} Sapporo, Japan (2010)
• {{flagicon|South Africa}} Durban, South Africa (2011)
• {{flagicon|China}} Shenyang, China (2013)
• {{flagicon|United States}} Montgomery County, United States (2017)

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• {{citation |first=Hugh Alexander |last=Webster |display-authors=0 |contribution=Corea |title=Encyclopædia Britannica, 9th ed., Vol. VI |editor-last=Baynes |editor-first=Thomas Spencer |display-editors=0 |publisher=Charles Scribner's Sons |location=New York |date=1878 |ref={{harvid|EB|1878}} |pages=390–394}}.

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{{wikivoyage|Daejeon}}

• {{URL|1=https://www.daejeon.go.kr/dre/index.do|2=Official website}} {{in lang|en}}
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20160105153523/http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/ATR/SI_EN_3_1_1_1.jsp?areaCode=3 Daejeon: Official site of Korea Tourism Org.] (archived)

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Category:Special Cities and Metropolitan Cities of South Korea