- Full-scale push for balanced development between old and new urban areas and creation of a global smart city -On December 30, 2025, Incheon Metropolitan City (Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok) received final approval from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MOLIT) for the “Incheon Smart City Plan (2025–2029)”, aimed at balanced development between old and new urban areas and the creation of a global smart city. The city government then completed the plan formulation process.On January 30, the city held a final project completion briefing session attended by the Director of the Urban Planning Bureau and officials from relevant agencies and departments. Participants discussed phased implementation strategies for the Smart City Plan and areas requiring inter-agency and interdepartmental cooperation.This Smart City Plan was established in accordance with Article 8 of the Act on the Promotion of Smart City Development and Industry, and is aligned with the Ministry’s Fourth Comprehensive Smart City Plan.The plan sets out four key goals: smart city for balanced development; mega city for everyone; global smart city; and data-driven innovative city. To achieve these goals, the city outlined eight major implementation strategies, including the vision of a “Smart City for Everyone,” along with 41 smart city initiatives, such as Incheon’s smart senior center expansion service initiative. Through these efforts, Incheon plans to develop a localized smart city model tailored to the unique characteristics of each district and county.The city also actively incorporated diverse opinions into the plan through three rounds of citizen and public official surveys, three rounds of departmental interviews, three expert advisory meetings, one public official workshop, and one public hearing.Lee Won-ju, Director of the Urban Planning Bureau, stated, “Incheon’s smart city will not be centered on technology. It will grow as a people-centered city focused on tangible ben

- Large-scale hydrogen bus infrastructure capable of refueling up to 200 vehicles per day -Incheon Metropolitan City (Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok) announced that it has completed the “Incheon Airport Hydrogen Mobility Complex Development Project”* at the bus depot of Incheon International Airport Terminal 2, and has begun full-scale operation of a liquid hydrogen refueling station as of January this year.*Hydrogen Mobility Complex: A hydrogen refueling hub located at major transportation centers (such as airports and terminals) equipped with large-capacity hydrogen charging and storage facilities, along with supporting amenities such as parking areas and car wash facilities.The newly completed liquid hydrogen refueling station at Incheon Airport can supply up to 320 kilograms of hydrogen per hour, enabling it to refuel up to 200 large hydrogen buses per day.The project was carried out from January 2023 to January 2026 through collaboration among Incheon Metropolitan City, Incheon International Airport Corporation, Korea Gas Technology Corporation, and SK Plug Hyverse. A total project budget of KRW 14.29 billion was invested, including KRW 7 billion in national funding, KRW 3 billion from the city, and KRW 4.29 billion from private sector partners.This new facility is the 16th hydrogen refueling station in the Incheon region and the third within the airport. It will serve not only shuttle buses and official vehicles operated by Incheon International Airport Corporation, but also airport limousine buses and passenger vehicles traveling to and from the airport nationwide, significantly expanding eco-friendly transportation infrastructure.Building on the completion of this hydrogen mobility complex, Incheon plans to accelerate the adoption of hydrogen mobility centered around Incheon International Airport and further advance its vision of becoming a carbon-neutral, eco-friendly city. 

- Generative AI-based personalized tourism information available starting January 29 -On January 29, Incheon Metropolitan City (Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok) announced that it will begin a pilot operation of the “Incheon AI Travel Assistant” chatbot service within the IncheonEasy app. The service is designed to provide highly personalized travel information to visitors to Incheon, enhancing overall travel satisfaction.The “Incheon AI Travel Assistant,” now in its pilot stage, is a core project in the city’s ongoing initiative to advance its smart tourism strategy. Powered by generative artificial intelligence (AI), the service analyzes users’ questions, intent, and context within the IncheonEasy app to recommend customized travel courses, itineraries, restaurants, and more, tailored to each user’s situation and travel route.The chatbot also integrates the Incheon tourism database (DB), a wide range of public data, and private-sector data such as Google Search and Maps, enabling it to deliver comprehensive tourism information, including real-time updates on festivals and events, coupons, and stamp tour programs.By considering users’ interests, current location, and even weather conditions, the service provides personalized recommendations and diverse travel routes, reducing the time spent searching for information before trips. As a result, visitors can plan trips that reflect their individual preferences more easily and conveniently.The service also acts as a real-time “personal travel guide” during trips, providing information as needed. This feature is expected to enhance visitors’ overall satisfaction with their stay and encourage repeat visits.This pilot phase is intended to gather user feedback and further refine service quality ahead of the official launch planned for the first half of 2026. Incheon plans to analyze usage patterns and user queries to further strengthen its hyper-personalized recommendation algorithms and tourism information curati

- Beyond housing, meals, and delivery, now covering workwear laundry, brokerage fees, and counselingIncheon, a city where a thousand won is enough— Incheon’s signature people-centered innovation initiative, the “₩1,000 Series,” will expand to new areas in 2026Moving beyond housing, food, logistics, and culture, the city’s initiative will now extend more deeply to residents’ everyday lives, addressing housing relocation costs, children’s mental health, and workers’ work environments.Having established itself in 2025 as one of Incheon’s most recognizable and impactful livelihood policies amid enthusiastic public response and extensive media attention, the ₩1,000 Series will take another step forward in 2026 through the introduction of new initiatives and advancement of existing programs.2026 ₩1,000 Policies Lower “Hidden Costs” in Daily LifeEveryday expenses, regardless of price, have long been considered unavoidable. This 2026, however, Incheon will fully launch new policies aimed at reducing those costs to just ₩1,000.First, the “₩1,000 Brokerage Fee” program that took effect in January this year supports housing-vulnerable groups such as homeless youth, newly married couples, and near-poverty households. Eligible participants pay only ₩1,000 out of pocket when signing a housing lease contract, with brokerage fees capped at KRW 300,000.Applications can be submitted by registered mail or in person (Incheon City Land Information Division). Detailed instructions are available on the Incheon City website (Korean only; incheon.go.kr Incheon News Announcements).The “₩1,000 i-First Counseling” program, which supports initial counseling costs for families in crisis, will be introduced in January at four Comprehensive Child Welfare Centers.For children in need of psychological or emotional counseling, the out-of-pocket cost for initial sessions will be reduced to ₩1,000; thus enabling families to begin counseling without financia

- Establishing a comprehensive support hub for the designation of specialized zones and fostering new industriesIncheon Metropolitan City (Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok) has established the “Incheon Distributed Energy Support Center” for the systematic advancement of Incheon-led distributed energy expansion policies, holding an opening ceremony at Incheon Technopark on January 26.The ceremony was attended by key officials including the Director of Future Industry Bureau, Head of the Energy Policy Division, and Head of the Power and Energy Team in Incheon as well as the President of Incheon Technopark, Head of the Bio Carbon Neutrality Division, and Director of the Future Energy Center. The event included the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for the establishment and operation of the Distributed Energy Support Center and an unveiling ceremony.Through this agreement, Incheon Metropolitan City and Incheon Technopark agreed to promote the stable and efficient operation of the Distributed Energy Support Center and to build a cooperative framework to expand Incheon-led distributed energy and foster an innovative ecosystem.The Incheon Distributed Energy Support Center will serve as a dedicated regional organization under the Special Act on the Activation of Distributed Energy. Its key functions will include: ▲ identifying distributed energy policies and providing institutional support; ▲ supporting the designation and operation of specialized distributed energy zones; ▲ analyzing the status of regional distributed energy resources; ▲ fostering new distributed energy industries and helping businesses; and ▲ conducting education and outreach for citizens and experts.The city government will oversee distributed energy–related policies and projects and actively pursue administrative and institutional support as well as linked initiatives necessary for the center’s operation. Incheon Technopark will be responsible for providing technical and practical supp

- Reviewing preparedness and exploring tailored medical support measuresIncheon Metropolitan City (Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok), together with the Ministry of Health and Welfare, boarded the Health Ongjin—Incheon hospital ship operating in Ongjin County—on January 26 to review the current status of healthcare services for island residents and preparations for integrated care while listening to on-the-ground feedback.The visit was arranged ahead of the enforcement of the Integrated Care Support Act on March 27 to examine the conditions for providing integrated medical and care services in island areas with relatively limited healthcare and care infrastructure, and to hear suggestions raised during the hospital ship’s operation. The event was attended by First Vice Minister Lee Seu-ran of the Ministry of Health and Welfare as well as officials from Ongjin County.The Health Ongjin (Korean name: Geongang Ongjin) is a 270-ton hospital ship accommodating up to 44 personnel, equipped with key medical facilities including internal medicine, dentistry, and traditional Korean medicine clinics as well as radiology, physical therapy, and clinical pathology rooms. Built and deployed in April of last year, the vessel has been providing essential medical services to island residents.Participants traveled aboard the Health Ongjin to Jawoldo Island, where they observed the operation of onboard medical services and navigational conditions. They also held a meeting with medical staff and local public health center officials to hear about on-site challenges and suggestions including workforce recruitment, working conditions, and navigational safety during severe weather. Afterward, they visited the Jawol Health Subcenter and the Jawol Township Office to review the status of preparations for integrated care services.The city government plans to continue developing various support measures in line with integrated care, not only through the Health Ongjin medical services but also by providi

- Establishing a healthcare-associated infection response system through public–private cooperationIncheon Metropolitan City (Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok) announced that it held the “2026 Incheon-Style Carbapenem-Resistant Enterobacterales (CRE) Infection Reduction Strategy Project Briefing Session” at Incheon City Hall on January 23 as part of the I-CRE ZERO Project.CRE infection is a type of healthcare-associated defect caused by high-risk resistant bacteria that do not respond to conventional antibiotics. It is primarily transmitted through direct or indirect contact in general hospitals and long-term care hospitals with high numbers of critically ill patients. CRE infection can lead to a range of illnesses including pneumonia and urinary tract infections, and it is associated with a high fatality rate; hence the need for thorough and systematic management.The annual number of reported CRE infection cases in Incheon has shown a steady upward trend, rising by 20.7% from 2,983 cases in 2023 to 3,601 cases in 2024 and further increasing to 3,883 cases in 2025.The briefing session was organized as a proactive response to the continued spread of CRE infections by addressing the limitations of individual medical institutions’ response efforts and establishing a systematic response framework through public–private cooperation.In particular, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) has been piloting a CRE infection reduction strategy project since 2025 in three metropolitan governments: Incheon, Gyeonggi, and Busan. Incheon City has incorporated regionally tailored strategies into this initiative and held the session to recruit medical institutions that will participate in implementing the program.Approximately 40 officials from 20 medical institutions across the city attended the session, receiving explanations on the project’s direction and participation methods and taking part in a QA session; thus demonstrating strong interest.The project plans to r

- Set to share the stage alongside Grammy and BBC Music Award–winning choirsThe Incheon City Chorale (ICC; Artistic Director Yoon Eui-joong) has achieved the distinction of being selected as an invited choir for the National Convention of the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA), the world’s largest choral event.With this invitation, ICC will perform at the 2027 ACDA National Convention scheduled to take place from March 7 to 10, 2027 in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA.Launched in 1959, the ACDA National Convention is a globally renowned choral festival and the largest event of its kind, drawing more than 10,000 choral conductors and musicians from around the world. The biennial convention selects most participating choirs through auditions, with only three ensembles chosen as “Invited Choirs.” In 2027, ICC will share the stage with some of the world’s leading choral groups including Grammy Award–winning choir (2015) Conspirare and BBC Music Award winner (2012, 2016) and Gramophone Award nominee (2013) Tenebrae.Professor Pearl Shangkuan, incoming president of the American Choral Directors Association who served as ICC guest conductor in June 2025, previously praised the ensemble. “The Incheon City Chorale not only possesses powerful sound and diverse tonal colors but also demonstrates remarkable flexibility in conveying human emotion,” she said at the time, signaling the possibility of this invitation.In particular, the ACDA stage is of special significance to ICC. The choir delivered the final invited performance at the ACDA 50th Anniversary Conference in Oklahoma City in 2009 under the artistic direction of Yoon Hak-won, receiving approximately 20 minutes of standing ovation and enthusiastic applause. Such performance continues to be remembered among ACDA officials as an impressive example, and this latest invitation marks the choir’s return after approximately 18 years. It is expected to serve as an opportunity to showcase once again the glo

- Performance briefing on Semiconductor RD Support Program held on January 19Incheon Metropolitan City (Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok) has implemented an RD support program to foster technology independence and reinforce the infrastructure of Incheon-based semiconductor companies, yielding visible results.The city hosted the “Semiconductor RD Support Program Performance Briefing” on January 19 at the Orakai Songdo Park Hotel. The event was organized to share the achievements of the semiconductor RD cooperation support program jointly carried out in 2025 by Incheon Metropolitan City and Korea Institute of Industrial Technology (KITECH), and to discuss future policy directions.The city has systematically provided comprehensive, full-cycle support to strengthen the technological competitiveness and market responsiveness of semiconductor materials, components, and equipment (MCE) companies in the Incheon region. Leveraging KITECH’s expert personnel and research equipment, the initiative has covered RD, demonstration, equipment and technical assistance, and workforce training.This Semiconductor RD Support Program was implemented across three areas: ▲ support for root technologies specializing in semiconductor back-end processes (17 companies); ▲ identification and validation of MCE companies linked to packaging partner firms (8 companies); and ▲ identification and validation of innovation partner companies (2 companies). A total of 27 companies participated in the program.Key achievements include developing recycling process technology for precious metals (Pt, Pd) generated during semiconductor manufacturing, laying the groundwork for cost reduction and transition to resource-circulating processes, and establishing core back-end process technologies ready for on-site application such as diamond chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) disks, lightweight wafer ring frames, highly heat-dissipating spacer components, and laser-based precision processing and bonding technologie

- Real-time analysis enables safer evacuations, cutting average evacuation time by 17% -Incheon Metropolitan City (Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok) announced that it has completed the establishment of an AI-based evacuation guidance system for multi-use facilities to support swift and safe evacuations during emergencies such as subway fires. A completion briefing was held on January 15 at Gyesan Station.The briefing marked the conclusion of a project launched in March 2025 to expand the system across 18 stations on Incheon Subway Line 1. The ceremony welcomed around 30 guests, including the Director of the Planning and Coordination Office, as well as representatives from the Incheon Fire Department and Incheon Transit Corporation.The event featured a project completion report, live system operation, on-site demonstrations, and a QA session. Attendees observed firsthand how the system uses AI algorithms to provide real-time guidance on optimal evacuation routes when a fire is detected.The AI-based evacuation guidance system is an advanced safety solution that analyzes the location and spread of heat and smoke during a fire, avoids hazardous areas, and directs citizens along safe and efficient evacuation routes.Following a pilot project launched in 2023 at Incheon City Hall Station and Incheon Terminal Station, the city completed the installation of 935 units across 17 types of equipment at 18 high-traffic and structurally complex stations on Incheon Subway Line 1 last year.To verify the system’s reliability and performance, Incheon conducted certified testing through the Telecommunications Technology Association (TTA). In addition, a simulated fire drill held in December last year at Gyeongin National University of Education Station confirmed an average reduction in evacuation time of approximately 17%.Shin Seung-yeol, Director of the Planning and Coordination Office, said, “The completion of this system marks an important turning point in elevating safety standards for citi