- Incheon Metropolitan Government, the Korean Federation of Science and Technology Societies (Incheon Regional Federation), and Incheon Technopark sign cooperation agreement -

Incheon Metropolitan City (Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok) announced that on February 25, a business agreement titled “Agreement to Revitalize the Incheon Science and Technology Network” was signed with the Korean Federation of Science and Technology Societies and its Incheon Regional Federation, as well as with Incheon Technopark.

This agreement serves as a follow-up measure that provides institutional support for the operational foundation of the Incheon Science and Technology Innovation Network (i-connect). The network was launched in October last year with the participation of 14 institutions.

Up to now, exchanges in regional science and technology have been run separately by institution or project. This structure has limited efforts to build a permanent cooperation system. As a result, the need for a sustainable cooperation platform led by researchers has been repeatedly raised. Since the launch of the network, the city has secured a budget for related projects. Based on this, the city will now begin full-scale efforts to build a cooperative foundation that supports stable operations and tangible outcomes.

Under this agreement, the parties will cooperate in several areas, including laying the foundation for revitalizing the network, strengthening Incheon’s science, technology, and R&D competitiveness, promoting regular exchanges among local science and technology professionals, and organizing joint seminars and forums.

In particular, network operations led by the private sector are expected to expand opportunities for local science and technology professionals to participate in policymaking, while also yielding practical outcomes such as joint research planning and the identification of linked projects.

Director General of the Future Industry Bureau Lee Nam-joo stated, “If the launch of the network last year was the first step, this agreement marks the starting line for a full-fledged run.” He added, “We will continue to actively reflect the voices of local science and technology professionals in municipal administration and build a foundation for a regional science and technology cooperation ecosystem that can operate on its own beyond mere exchanges.”