New additions expected to improve congestion for line no. 2 between Unyeon Station in Namdong-gu and Geomdan-Oryu Station in Seo-gu Relief is on the way to save Incheon Metro Line No. 2, which runs from Unyeon Station in Namdong-gu to Geomdan-Oryu Station in Seo-gu, from its chronic congestion problem. Starting on December 9,the Metropolitan City Government is adding six newly assembled trains to Incheon Metro Line No. 2. ▲ Starting on December 9,the Metropolitan City Government is adding six newly assembled trains to Incheon Metro Line No. 2. The new trains are expected to further alleviate the congestion of Incheon Metro Line No. 2. Since its opening in 2016, Incheon Metro Line No. 2 has been a workhorse for people across Incheon, serving 49.93 million passengers in total. There were, however, calls for countermeasures to alleviate congestion during rush hour as the city’s population grew over the years. Accordingly, from 2018 to 2022, Incheon invested KRW 42.5 billion to improve the capacity of Incheon Metro Line No. 2. The City Government assembled six new trains and upgraded the subway system with new electrical wires, tracks, signals, and communication equipment. ▲ With the introduction of new trains, trains on Line No. 2 will arrive at stations 24 seconds quicker, from 3 minutes and 20 seconds to 2 minutes and 56 seconds. With the introduction of these new trains, the total number of trains in service will go from 37 (74 cars) to 43 (86 cars), trains will run more often from 460 times a day to 477 times a day (17 times more), and trains will arrive at stations 24 seconds faster, going from 3 minutes and 20 seconds to 2 minutes and 56 seconds (during rush hour). Moreover, in the case of the Gajeong Jungang Market-Seoknam(Haseon) section, peak congestion during rush hour was 149.8%. This will drop by approximately 15% once the new trains come on line. The City Government expects that residents of Namdong-gu and Seo-gu as well as Incheon citizens using Me

▲ On December 19, the Mayor of Incheon visited the Ministry of National Defense and met with Minister Lee Jong-sup to ask for the government’s support in upgrading the Battle of Incheon event to an official national event. The City Government requested cooperation between Incheon and the Ministry of National Defense to incorporate the 75th Anniversary Event for the Battle of Incheon next year as part of the national celebration of the ROK-US alliance. Incheon Metropolitan City said that Defense Minister Lee Jong-sup agreed with Incheon's proposal to upgrade the Battle of Incheon event to a national event. On December 19, Incheon Mayor Yoo Jeongbok visited the Ministry of National Defense and met with Minister Lee Jong-sup to ask for the government’s support in upgrading the Battle of Incheon event to a national event. Mayor Yoo said, “The Battle of Incheon is a strategic asset and a valuable part of our history. We believe it is time to upgrade the Battle of Incheon event to a national event next year to help people remember Korea’s history and promote awareness of the importance of national security.” He added, “I hope that our city and the Ministry of National Defense can work together in order to incorporate the 75th Anniversary Event for the Battle of Incheon next year as part of the national celebration of the ROK-US alliance.” In response, Minister of National Defense Lee Jong-sup said, “We agree that the Battle of Incheon event has the merits to become a national event. Thus, we plan on doing our best to make the upgrade happen.” In addition, Mayor Yoo Jeongbok proposed a relocation and redeployment of military units in the region, an expansion of fishing grounds, efforts to grow the camping market, and cooperation in collecting marine debris and waste in the border area with North Korea. He also asked the Ministry of National Defense for more support in solving problems experienced by locals due to various defense facilities, and related

Both cities agree to share expertise and leading policies in trade, investment, science, and education In celebration of the 30th anniversary of establishing friendly diplomatic ties between Korea and Uzbekistan, the Incheon Metropolitan City Government signed an agreement on friendly relations with Fergana, a city leading the growth and development of Uzbekistan. On December 16 (localtime), Incheon’s Vice Mayor for Culture, Welfare and Political Affairs LeeHaeng-sook visited Fergana, Uzbekistan, and signed the agreement on friendly relations. ▲ In celebration of the 30th anniversary of establishing friendly diplomatic ties between Korea and Uzbekistan, the Incheon Metropolitan City Government signed an agreement on friendly relations with Fergana, a city leading the growth and development of Uzbekistan. Vice Mayor Lee's visit to Uzbekistan came after Fergana extended an official invitation to Incheon in order to celebrate the 30th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Korea and Uzbekistan, and also the 85th anniversary of Koreans arriving and settling in Uzbekistan. Bozorov Hayrulla, Governor of Fergana, met with the Korean ambassador to Uzbekistan last October and asked for the Korean government’s support in finding new ways to expand exchanges and cooperation. This ultimately led to the agreement on friendly relations between Incheon and Fergana. At the signing ceremony, Vice Mayor Lee Haeng-sook and Governor Bozorov Hayrulla celebrated the 30th anniversary of friendly diplomatic relations between Korea and Uzbekistan, and the two cities agreed to share expertise and leading policies in various fields such as trade, investment, science, education, and the environment. In particular, both cities promised close cooperation not only in vitalizing business and economic exchanges between companies in Fergana, which is the leading agricultural and industrial city in Uzbekistan, and Incheon, but also in cultural exchanges and interactions. This agreement is expe

Helping visitors with directions, delivery, surveillance, and monitoring Guider robots, delivery robots, and surveillance/monitoring robots at Bupyeong station’s underground arcade in Incheon appear to be a massive hit with visitors. On November 25, Incheon hosted a launching ceremony for the “AI/5G-based large-scale robot demonstration project,” which won a government-sponsored contest for new tech projects, inside the underground arcade at Bupyeong station in Incheon. ▲ Helper robots, delivery robots, and surveillance/monitoring robots at Bupyeong station’s underground arcade in Incheon appear to be a massive hit with visitors. The “AI/5G-based large-scale robot demonstration project” selected last May as part of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy's contest for new tech projects is designed to help locals and solve social problems by introducing multiple types of robots to facilities frequently visited by citizens, such as shopping malls and major subway stations. Another goal of the project is to develop companies specializing in service robots and to popularize the use of robots in real life. The project is expected to cost KRW 1.9 billion in total. For two years (2022~2023), Incheon will test fifteen robots (five types), including guider robots, delivery robots, baking robots, wearable robots, and surveillance/monitoring robots, at Bupyeong station and its underground arcade in Incheon. Incheon Technopark, Incheon Transportation Corporation, Korea Institute of Electronics Technology, Yujin Robot Co., Ltd., and Syscon Co., Ltd. will work together to operate and analyze the robots in real-life situations. ▲ The “AI/5G-basedlarge-scale robot demonstration project” selected last May as part of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy's contest for new tech projects is designed to help locals and solve social problems by introducing multiple types of robots to facilities frequently visited by citizens, such as shopping malls and major

Incheon unveils sculpture to support the city’s bid to host the 2025 APEC Summit... Photo event also a possibility On December 1, Incheon hosted an event to unveil a sculpture to support its bid to host the 2025 APEC Summit at the Love Garden Plaza, Incheon City Hall. The City will also use the sculpture, which reflects Incheon’s determination to host its first-ever summit meeting, for a photo event via the administration’s social account (SNS account name: Support Incheon’s bid to host the APEC Summit). ▲ On December 1, Incheon hosted an event to unveil a sculpture to support its bid to host the 2025 APEC Summit at the Love Garden Plaza, Incheon City Hall. The City will also use the sculpture, which reflects Incheon’s determination to host its first-ever summit meeting, for a photo event via the administration’s social account (SNS account name: Support Incheon’s bid to host the APEC Summit). In particular, the sculpture has a spot in front of the “i” (of Incheon) where visitors can stand and become the “i” themselves. This could help locals feel proud to be a citizen of Incheon and have fun while supporting their city. The APEC Summit is an annual meeting attended by more than 6,000 people, including heads of state and ministers from 21 countries in the Asia-Pacific region. With Korea set to host the 2025 APEC Summit in November 2025, which is exactly 20 years since Busan hosted the APEC Summit back in 2005, Incheon, Busan, Jeju, and Gyeongju (Gyeongsangbuk-do)have all made their bids to host the event. ▲ The ceremony to unveil the sculpture supporting Incheon’s bid for the 2025 APEC Summit was hosted at the Love Garden Plaza in front of the City Hall on December 1. Incheon is a global city, home to 15 international organizations, including the Green Climate Fund (GCF). It is the perfect place to host APEC that can fulfill the three major goals of APEC: trade and investment, innovation/digital economy, and inclusive/sustainable growth.

Incheon Mayor Yoo Jeongbok's first investor event to attract foreign investment was a success. With new investment inbound, Incheon will build a European-style global healing spa and resort, and the city administration will work with a German craft beer manufacturer more than 200 years old as well as IoT blockchain startups going forward. ▲ On November 17 (local time), a delegation from Incheon led by Mayor Yoo Jeongbok hosted an investor event in Frankfurt, Germany, which is considered a major hub for international business, to attract investment from Europe. The event was attended by local leaders, including the Mayor of Frankfurt, and the Commissioner of the Incheon Free Economic Zone Authority. Also, more than 40 executives from a total of 25 companies joined the event. With three companies signing a letter of intent for mutual cooperation, sources say the event has been a much bigger success compared to what the city had originally expected. Incheon City announced on November 18 that a delegation from Incheon led by Mayor Yoo Jeongbok hosted an investor event in Frankfurt, Germany, which is considered a major hub for international business, on November 17 (local time) to attract investment from Europe. The event was attended by local leaders, including the Mayor of Frankfurt, and the Commissioner of the Incheon Free Economic Zone Authority. Also, more than 40 executives from a total of 25 companies joined the event. With three companies signing a letter of intent for mutual cooperation, sources say the event has been a much bigger success compared to what the city had originally expected.In addition, multiple participating companies are hoping to collaborate in the future, which could lead to additional investments. First, the Incheon Free Economic Zone (IFEZ) Authority signed a letter of intent for mutual cooperation with Therme Group, signaling that a European-style global healing spa and resort could be coming to IFEZ, which has great access to the Yellow

Incheon prepares a comprehensive contingency plan against natural disasters in winter for better stability and safety in at-risk areas vulnerable to natural disasters Incheon now has a new “Comprehensive Winter Natural Disaster Contingency Plan” to ensure the safety of its citizens and minimize any inconveniences from heavy snowfall or cold waves this winter. Over the past decade, the average winter temperature in Incheon has dropped by -0.27 ℃ compared to the average temperature in past years (0.00 ℃ ),whereas average precipitation has increased by 14% from the past averages (62.8 ㎜ ) to 71.95 ㎜ . Moreover, although the average severity of snowfall has decreased, the city is seeing more snow days at 24.3 days compared to previous years (22.1 days). This winter, Incheon is anticipating severe temperature drops, but precipitation is expected to remain similar to normal years. Accordingly, the city administration has decided to keep a close eye on heavy snowfall and cold waves until March 15, 2023, and focus on minimizing any damage caused by natural disasters with preemptive response measures at the scene of heavy precipitation or cold waves and close collaboration with other relevant organizations. ▲ The city administration has decided to keep a close eye on heavy snowfall and cold waves until March15, 2023, and focus on minimizing any damage caused by natural disasters with preemptive response measures at the scene of heavy precipitation or cold wave sand close collaboration with other relevant organizations. Incheon plans to conduct thorough scientific analysis and manage situations preemptively with staff on standby 24 hours a day at the Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters. It will use closed circuit (CC) cameras and TVs across the city, and also establish a public-private-military-police cooperation system for swift responses in the field. This new system will help reinforce the safety management for at-risk areas/facilities or those v

ID and password all set to“wifi” to promote usage The “2022 Wireless Internet Infrastructure Expansion Project” appears to be ready to start installing Wi-Fi modules to offer free internet access in public venues to locals. The city administration recently completed its inspection of potential sites that are expected to receive these new Wi-Fi modules. The project will focus on public institutions and facilities (government offices, cultural facilities, health and welfare facilities, etc.) in ten gun/gu districts across Incheon, including Ganghwa and Ongjin-gun. More specifically, it has selected 773 locations most frequently accessed by locals to maximize uptake. ▲ The “2022 Wireless Internet Infrastructure Expansion Project” appears to be ready to start installing Wi-Fi modules to offer free internet access in public venues to locals. The city administration recently completed its inspection of potential sites that are expected to receive these new Wi-Fi modules. Unlike in the past, this project also chose 40 locations based on the feedback city officials collected from locals to expand the coverage of its free Wi-Fi network to districts in the old city center with poor access to Wi-Fi and mobile network access in public venues. The City’s administration has long been trying to work with the central government to build the communication infrastructure locals need, and it has consulted expert groups to offer public Wi-Fi to coastal passenger vessels to Ongjin-gun and other locations with poor Wi-Fi coverage. Upon launching this new project, Incheon conducted on-site inspections of previously built facilities, and it said that it plans on making every effort to improve the satisfaction level of locals by providing better quality services, which includes replacing old and outdated Wi-Fi equipment. ▲ The goal of this Wi-Fi project is to install modules in a total of 773 locations with the highest user traffic to make sure the public Wi-Fi network is

Incheon announces its Comprehensive Development Plan for Northern Incheon to help turn Incheon into a first-class city On November 10, Incheon Metropolitan City announced its “Comprehensive Development Plan for Northern Incheon,” which outlines the first steps toward transforming Incheon into a world-class city, at the Auditorium inside the Seo-gu Office. ▲ On November 10, Incheon Metropolitan City announced its “Comprehensive Development Plan for Northern Incheon,” which outlines the first steps toward transforming Incheon into a world-class city, at the Auditorium inside the Seo-gu Office. The City Administration appears to be focusing on “change and innovation” given the drastic changes in terms of policy direction and administrative systems brought on by the 8thdemocratically elected government of Incheon. The “Comprehensive Development Plan for Northern Incheon” reorganizes master plans for the Gyeyang-gu andSeo-gu districts in Incheon that lie north of Ara Canal (previously, the plan was titled the “Comprehensive Development Plan for the Northern Districts”). ▲ Provisions from the “Comprehensive Development Plan for the Northern Districts.” The “Comprehensive Development Plan for the Northern Districts” was planned by the 6th democratically elected administration of Inchon, and specific development plans were commissioned in April 2019, which was during the 7th democratically elected administration. However, the project was suspended this March with just 28 days remaining on its docket. Meanwhile, the new“Comprehensive Development Plan for Northern Incheon” focuses more on the spatial planning of northern Incheon, its SOC supply plans, future development of landfills, and on improving the transportation network to make the northern districts of Incheon a better place to live. The new plan also hopes to connect the northern districts, previously considered as being cut off due to the Ara Waterway, with significant waterfront

Delegation from Incheon traveling across four European countries, including France, until November 20to seek support from overseas Koreans in Europe The Mayor of Incheon and officials from Incheon are going on their second overseas business trip since taking office as the 8th democratically elected city administration in order to strengthen Incheon’s cooperation with overseas Koreans and also to encourage overseas Koreans to open their Overseas Koreans Service office in Incheon. ▲ On November 13 (local time), the Mayor of Incheon Metropolitan City took a tour around Caen’s City Hall led by Mayor Joel Bruneau in Normandy, France. Incheon Metropolitan City Mayor Yoo Jeongbok is on a 9-day trip to four European countries, including France, from November 12 to 20 with other officials from the City’s administration. Upon receiving an official invitation to the Smart City Expo World Congress (SCEWC) from the Association of Korean Residents in Europe, Incheon organized this trip to Europe in hopes to strengthen its cooperation with local institutions, attract investment, and share its plans to transform Incheon into a world-class international city. During his trip, Mayor Yoo Jeongbok also visited historical sites to pay homage to the historical significance of the Battle of Incheon. He first visited the Caen Memorial Museum after landing in Paris, France, and Omaha Beach, where the Allied Forces pitched its fiercest resistance against the Germans during World War II. The Mayor also visited the Korean War Veterans Memorial. Here, while commemorating the noble sacrifices made by countless soldiers in Incheon and Normandy, Mayor Yoo Jeongbok spent time reflecting on their resolve and dedication toward defending peace. In 2017, Incheon City and the French province of Normandy signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on friendship and cooperation to help preserve the cultural heritage of both regions and to protect the peace. Incheon, which is planning a major comme