Incheon Metropolitan City (Mayor Park Chan-dae) will revamp its existing “1,000 Won Culture Ticket” into the “Incheon Happiness Culture Ticket” and launch the new program in October, making it easier for all citizens to enjoy a wide range of cultural experiences close to home.The city government announced that it would launch the “Incheon Happiness Culture Ticket” program in October for approximately 6,000 citizens to commemorate Citizens’ Day and add greater meaning to October as the “Month of Culture.”Following the program’s focus on arts performances in May, the October edition will diversify its offerings to include performances, sports, and tourism, bringing positive changes to citizens’ everyday lives through culture.In particular, the city has renamed the “1,000 Won Culture Ticket” as the “Happiness Culture Ticket” to reflect the program’s goal of expanding opportunities for citizens to enjoy culture. The new name represents the city’s commitment to making diverse cultural content more accessible and enjoyable for everyone.The “Happiness Culture Ticket” initiative was first introduced in October last year. At the beginning, the program provided cultural, sports, and tourism experiences to more than 5,000 citizens, youth, and culturally underserved groups through performances, professional soccer games, city tour buses, and the Wolmi Sea Train. Starting this year, the program has been expanded to operate in the first and second halves of the year in conjunction with Family Month in May and Citizens’ Day in October.This October, the city has prepared a diverse range of programs, including arts performances such as shadow theater, classical music, traditional performance plays, and theater, as well as professional soccer and tourism programs. The range of options has been expanded to allow anyone, from children to adults, to enjoy the program.First, Incheon Culture and Arts Center will present “Hand Shadow Fantasy ANIMAR

Incheon Metropolitan City (Mayor Park Chan-dae) is expanding its “Real-Time Parking Information Service” from public parking lots to private parking lots to make parking more convenient for its citizens and help alleviate traffic congestion in urban areas.After establishing its “Integrated Public Parking Information Plan” last year, Incheon has been providing integrated information on public parking lots across the city through the Incheon Traffic Information Center website since January this year. To expand the service to private parking lots, the city signed a business agreement with i PARKING Co., Ltd. (CEO Kim Dong-ho), a leading parking platform company in Korea, on August 21 to provide real-time parking information.Under the agreement, i PARKING will link real-time parking availability from private parking facilities to the “Parking Information” service of the Incheon Traffic Information Center. The city will then provide this information to citizens through the Incheon Traffic Information Center’s website. It also plans to make the information available through platforms such as the Public Data Portal in the future, supporting its widespread use in the private sector, including the development of navigation apps.The parking information service, which has so far focused on public parking lots, will now expand into the private sector through this agreement. As a result, the number of private parking lots offering real-time parking information is expected to continue increasing.The city government also plans to expand the provision of real-time parking information to 20 public parking lots across the city in September.

Incheon Metropolitan City (Mayor Park Chan-dae) announced that city bus labor and management reached a final wage and collective agreement after lengthy negotiations at the Incheon Regional Labor Relations Commission’s mediation meeting on August 25, allowing city buses to continue operating normally without the feared strike.Labor and management began negotiations with their first meeting on January 8 and held 11 rounds of voluntary negotiations. However, they were unable to narrow their differences and subsequently applied for mediation with the Incheon Regional Labor Relations Commission. After five mediation meetings and several informal meetings to resolve outstanding issues, the two sides ultimately reached an agreement.The negotiations concluded after more than 14 hours of discussions, with labor and management agreeing on key terms including a 4.5% increase in the base hourly wage, a KRW 15,000 increase in the no-accident allowance (from KRW 165,000 to KRW 180,000), and the elimination of the wage gap between commissioned employees working on city and metropolitan buses.As a result, citizens can continue to use city buses as usual without any additional transportation disruptions, and public transportation services, including during rush hours, have remained fully operational.The city government explained that the agreement was achieved through continued dialogue and mediation among labor, management, and the government, based on a shared understanding that disruptions to citizens should be minimized. The city also noted the significance of the agreement, as all parties reached an amicable settlement through mutual understanding and compromise despite concerns over a possible strike.The agreement is also expected to have a positive impact on improving the working conditions and job stability of bus operators. Along with the base hourly wage increase, the agreement includes an increase in the no-accident allowance and the elimination of the wage gap between

Incheon Metropolitan City (Mayor Park Chan-dae) and Incheon Technopark announced that they established the Incheon ICT Complex, a hub for the ICT Innovation Square Expansion Project, on the third floor of the Incheon Hall of the Korea Teachers’ Credit Union (357 Baekbeom-ro, Namdong-gu), and held an opening ceremony at 4 PM on the 25th.The ICT Innovation Square Expansion Project, supported by the Ministry of Science and ICT and the National IT Industry Promotion Agency (NIPA), aims to foster professionals specializing in artificial intelligence and software (AI·SW). The project is designed to enhance the competitiveness of local industries through AI Transformation (AX), which integrates artificial intelligence technologies across industries.In 2020, four regions—the Southeast (Busan, Ulsan, and Gyeongnam), Northeast (Gangwon, Gyeongbuk, and Daegu), Honam (Gwangju, Jeonbuk, Jeonnam, and Jeju), and Chungcheong (Chungnam, Chungbuk, and Sejong)—were selected through a public competition, and regional ICT Innovation Squares have since been established and operated.Through continued efforts to secure national funding, Incheon secured KRW 1.2 billion in national funding last December. Combined with KRW 300 million in local funding, the city invested a total of KRW 1.5 billion and began full-scale development of the facility infrastructure in March.The Incheon ICT Innovation Square consists of one hub facility, the newly opened Incheon ICT Complex, and two training centers in Michuhol-gu and Namdong-gu. The core facility, the Incheon ICT Complex, is equipped with an AI Transformation (AX) training center, an AI Transformation (AX) open lab, an open lounge, and a shared workspace (workbench), among other facilities.Going forward, the facility will offer a range of systematic programs that citizens and businesses can benefit from, including special lectures to promote awareness of AI Transformation, with a focus on manufacturing, support for trainees seeking professio

- Pilot expansion begins August 29, with multi-session programs for adults, menopausal women, pregnant women, and socially vulnerable groupsThe Incheon Grand Park Office of Incheon Metropolitan City announced that it will begin a pilot expansion of forest therapy programs at the newly developed Incheon Healing Forest on August 29. Led by certified forest therapy instructors, the programs are designed to help modern-day citizens relieve stress and restore their physical and mental well-being.Currently under development, Incheon Healing Forest features a variety of therapeutic spaces, including Welcome Area, Breath of Air Area, Ari Rest Area, Hammock Rest Area, Mind Rest Area, Shade Area, Wind Meditation Area, Sound Meditation Area, and Breeze Area, as well as an indoor healing space called Eoulchae. The forest also features interconnected trails, including the Ieum Meditation Trail, Sound and Scent Trail, Barrier-Free Pulrim Trail, and Maru Pulrim Trail, designed to allow citizens to relax peacefully in nature.During the pilot expansion, the city will offer more customized multi-session programs tailored to different groups to maximize the benefits of forest therapy. Programs will include “Forest of Mind and Scent” (four sessions) for adults; “Forest in Bloom Again” (eight sessions) to promote psychological stability and alleviate depression among menopausal women; “Forest Face to Face” (four sessions), a forest-based prenatal program for pregnant women and their unborn babies; and “Forest of Strength Within” (four sessions) for socially vulnerable groups. All programs will be led by forest therapy instructors certified by the Korea Forest Service.The city will also operate “Forest of Resonant Sounds,” where participants can experience singing bowl meditation. These programs will run alongside existing offerings, including “Forest for Everyone” for adults, “Forest Guardian” for groups, and “Gather in the Forest” for families, allowing

- Two categories were selected—Case Management and Mental Health Programs—with best practices to be compiled and shared with mental health service providersIncheon Metropolitan City announced that it has successfully concluded the First Mental Health Best Practices Competition, held to improve the quality of community-based mental health services and recognize the dedication of organizations providing mental health programs.The competition was held for the first time this year to identify exemplary practices in mental health services and promote their adoption throughout the community. Held from April to July under the theme “Tell Us Your Recovery Story! Show Us Your Institution’s Success Story,” the competition was open to organizations providing mental health services in Incheon and featured two categories: Case Management and Mental Health Programs.Submitted cases underwent a rigorous evaluation based on professionalism, creativity, effectiveness, and potential for broader application. Five institutions were ultimately selected as outstanding institutions.In the Case Management category, the following institutions were selected: Seohae-gu Mental Health Welfare Center (Grand Prize), Namdong-gu Mental Health Welfare Center (Excellence Award), and Namdong-gu Mental Rehabilitation Facility Geuruteogi (Encouragement Award). In the Mental Health Programs category, Ongjin-gun Mental Health Welfare Center (Grand Prize) and Yeonsu-gu Integrated Addiction Management Support Center (Excellence Award) received honors. The winning institutions received awards from the Director of the Incheon Metropolitan City Mental Health Welfare Project Support Group.The city government plans to compile the best practices selected through the competition into a casebook and share the casebook with mental health service providers throughout the city. Through this initiative, the city aims to widely disseminate outstanding programs applicable in the field and effective case manageme

Incheon Metropolitan City (Mayor Park Chan-dae) announced that it successfully held the first meeting of the “Citizen Monitoring Group for the Seoul Subway Line 7 Cheongna International City Extension Project” on August 13 at the Seohae-gu District Office and officially launched the group’s activities.The citizen monitoring group was formed to address residents’ concerns and distrust over recent construction delays and to enhance transparency in the project. It marks the official first step toward a field- and resident-focused approach to municipal administration, enabling citizens to directly participate in on-site construction management and voice their opinions.Approximately 40 key officials and stakeholders attended the meeting, including the Deputy Mayor for Global City and Political Affairs, the Director of the Incheon Metropolitan City Urban Railway Construction Headquarters, the Mayor of Seohae-gu, 18 appointed citizen monitors, and 17 administrative support staff. With the cooperation of Seohae-gu, the monitors were selected transparently, primarily from residents living in the areas served by each construction section of the Cheongna extension line.The meeting proceeded with an opening declaration, presentation of appointment certificates, election of executive members, and an introduction to future operating procedures and activity guidelines. Through an election among the members, one overall representative and section leaders were selected to lead the monitoring group and establish a systematic framework for its activities.In particular, participants held in-depth discussions on effective on-site inspection measures and the establishment of a safety management system. Going forward, the citizen monitoring group will participate in monthly on-site inspections for each construction section and focus on thorough fact-checking of conditions in the field, including the opening schedule, installation of safety facilities, and construction progress.The

Incheon Metropolitan City (Mayor Park Chan-dae) and the Incheon Tourism Organization announced that they will hold the Traditional Market Mobile Stamp Tour in two rounds from August 15 to November 15 as part of the “Traditional Market Revitalization Project,” aimed at promoting the appeal of traditional markets and revitalizing the local economy.The event will run in two rounds—the first from August 15 to September 30 and the second from October 1 to November 15—with 17 traditional markets across seven districts and counties participating: Ganghwa-gun, Jemulpo-gu, Michuhol-gu, Yeonsu-gu, Namdong-gu, Bupyeong-gu, and Gyeyang-gu.The first tour will cover Sinheung Market, Sinpo International Market, Seokbawi Market, Singi Market, Yonghyeon Market, Yeorumul Traditional Market, Ilsin Market, Guwol Market, and Incheon Moraenae Market.The second tour will cover Soraepogu Traditional Fish Market, Jangseungbaegi Traditional Market, Songdo Station Market, Yeonsu Okryeon Market, Ganghwa Pungmul Market, Gyesan Market, Gyeyangsan Traditional Market, and Jakjeon Market.The Traditional Market Mobile Stamp Tour allows participants to select a preferred course on the IncheonEasy app and visit designated locations at traditional markets and nearby tourist attractions. Stamps are automatically issued through GPS upon arrival.The tour features 16 themed courses that link traditional markets to nearby historical and cultural attractions and representative local tourist destinations. One course, for example, takes visitors to Dapdong Cathedral or Gindam Corner House (the former market official residence in Sinheung-dong) after visiting Sinheung Market.Participants can freely choose courses based on their interests and schedules, with each course designed to naturally connect traditional market visits with Incheon’s history, culture, and tourism.Upon completing each tour course, participants will immediately receive a KRW 5,000 discount coupon through the IncheonEasy app. Those

Incheon Metropolitan City (Mayor Park Chan-dae) announced that participating companies in the “I-Startup Unicorn Dream” program, which is being implemented in cooperation with global big tech companies, are achieving a series of results in expanding into overseas markets.The “I-Startup Unicorn Dream” program connects Incheon startups with the technological and business expertise of five global big tech companies—Microsoft, Amazon Web Services (AWS), IBM, Siemens, and Ansys. The program provides step-by-step support for global commercialization through customized technical support and expert consulting for each company. Recently, several participating Incheon startups have achieved tangible commercialization results, including strengthened technological competitiveness, overseas expansion, and business contracts.Sheco, a marine pollution response robot company, has completed deliveries and reached agreements in three countries, including Taiwan, through collaboration with Siemens. The company is also preparing demonstrations for more than 10,000 facilities in the United States and has established a follow-up business pipeline following its registration as a vendor with Saudi Aramco. By leveraging a Siemens-based artificial intelligence (AI) design system, Sheco has improved its ability to meet requirements across different countries. At the same time, digital twin-based virtual verification has helped reduce the risks and costs associated with overseas demonstrations.Greener Lab, a smart farming and tree management company, has upgraded its operational infrastructure for overseas expansion using Amazon Web Services technology. The company uses AWS-based technology to operate equipment at overseas sites without personnel stationed locally. It has also established a continuous learning system using SageMaker and entered the Coffee Belt market, expanding the number of farms targeted for its business in Kenya from one to three. Greener Lab has also conducted pr

Incheon Metropolitan City (Mayor Park Chan-dae) announced that the Wolmi Park Management Office has planted sunflowers throughout the traditional garden area of Wolmi Park to provide citizens with a relaxing retreat in the heart of the city during the hot summer months.The newly created sunflower garden forms a unique landscape where the tranquil traditional Korean-style buildings of the garden blend with the vibrant energy of summer, offering visitors a chance to experience both traditional Korean beauty and the liveliness of the season.The sunflower trail, covered in brilliant yellow blooms, is expected to bring renewed energy to visitors and become a popular photo spot where families and friends can create lasting memories together.Meanwhile, Wolmi Park’s traditional garden recreates traditional Korean landscaping and architecture and is a popular destination that attracts visitors year-round with seasonal wildflowers and traditional gardens.In particular, the walking trails around the traditional garden are well maintained, making them ideal for a stroll while enjoying the sunflowers. Visitors can also make the most of their time at the park by combining their visit with the park’s forest interpretation and traditional culture experience programs.The Director of the Wolmi Park Management Office stated, “The combination of the traditional garden’s elegant scenery and bright yellow sunflowers will offer citizens a unique source of enjoyment amid the summer heat,” adding, “We hope you will enjoy the refreshing summer scenery at Wolmi Park and spend some time relaxing.”