- 22 automated collection machines powered by artificial intelligence (AI) to be installed in 2024 to collect more transparent plastic bottles -Incheon Metropolitan City announced that it is expanding its network of Incheon Resource Recycling Stores from 82 to 99 locations this year to boost the collection rate of recyclables and encourage proper recycling.If you bring clean recyclables to the Incheon Resource Recycling Store, you will be paid in cash (or redeemable points) based on weight. This means you can earn some money while doing your part in recycling resources.Incheon is the first metropolitan city to begin a pilot Resource Recycling Store project across 17 locations in three districts in 2021. In 2022, it recovered 302 tons of recyclables at 56 locations in eight districts, and paid out KRW 72 million in cash (redeemable points). Last year, Ongjin-gun, one of Incheon’s larger islands, was also incorporated into the network, bringing the total number of Resource Recycling Stores to 82 across nine Gu/Gun districts. Through its network, Incheon collected 1,162 tons and 19 types of recyclables, including transparent PET bottles, and paid out KRW 669 million.Each store in the Incheon Resource Recycling Store program, now in its 4th year, has different names - RE-Shop (Jung-gu), Dong-gu Market (Dong-gu), Meet-you Resource Recycling Store (Michuhol-gu), Eoullim Store (Bupyeong), Mysterious Treasure Store (Gyeyang), Seoro e-Eum Store (Seo-gu), etc. - and opens at different hours. Each Gun/Gu district has its own operating policies as well.Incheon Resource Recycling Store in Michuhol-guIncheon Resource Recycling Store in Gyeyang-guAutonomous collection machine powered by AI in Seo-guThis year, Incheon plans to invest KRW 440 million in City funding to install 22 autonomous collection machines powered by AI technology in four districts, and use them to collect transparent plastic bottles that can be used to make food containers, apparel, shoes, and bags.A City off

- 19cm-long pencil tells the long story of Incheon -- Exhibition starting on February 14 at the Pencil Museum,the first of its kind in Korea built to tell the history of pencils -Incheon says it plans on showcasing city brand pencils at the Pencil Museum located in Donghae-si, Gangwon-do, starting February 14.The Pencil Museum is Korea's first pencil museum and cultural art venue, with over 3,000 different types of pencils sorted by country and concept.Exhibition of Incheon's city brand pencils at the Pencil MuseumPencils from Incheon will go on display along with other pencils from globally renowned companies such as the National Gallery Singapore, BMW, Cartier, and Samsung. Visitors can see and compare the brand identity engraved on each pencil measuring just 19cm.Incheon’s city brand () pencil embodies the city by combining three different elements: Incheon’s slogan “All Ways Incheon,” the diagonal shape that symbolizes “the dynamic spirit of Incheon challenging the future,” and colors that capture the sky and sea of Incheon.The City believes that its city brand pencil at the Pencil Museum will provide an opportunity to introduce Incheon to visitors and raise public awareness of Incheon by showcasing it shoulder-to-shoulder with some of the best-known brands both from Korea and abroad.A City official said, “As times change, more people are using electronic devices rather than pencil and paper. But the chaffing and rubbing sound and unique texture of a pencil are still valuable.” He added, “We hope that this exhibition will be an opportunity to feel the value and beauty of our City’s own brand applied to everyday objects.”Meanwhile, Incheon sells various souvenirs, including pencils, via the e-eum app (Incheon e-mall - Incheon direct purchase - Other - Incheon tourism products). For further details, please contact the Public Relations Planning Division (☎ 032-440-3084).

- City talks to local vendors and agrees to lower the maximum speed limit from 25km to 20km -- City also significantly strengthens safety, with proposal to mandate verification for minors up to 16 years old driving without a license -Incheon Metropolitan City is strengthening its control over personal mobility (PM) devices, including electric scooters, with lower speed limits.The City recently hosted a meeting with four local vendors offering shared personal mobility (PM) services such as electric scooters and electric bicycles, and agreed to lower the maximum speed limit to 20kph and mandate a verification process for users up to 16 years of age.Best Driver Association supporters moving and organizing PM devicesParking and recharging (SU:M Station) PM devicesAccording to the Road Traffic Act, the maximum speed limit for a PM device is 25kph. However, Incheon and local vendors decided to lower the maximum speed of electric scooters and other devices to 20kph from February 5.Industry data and analysis revealed that the average speed of PM devices in Incheon was, in fact, slower than 20kph in real-life conditions due to crosswalks, other PM users, pedestrians, hills, etc.Also, results from a survey by the Samsung Transportation Safety Culture Research Institute showed that “if the maximum speed of an electric scooter is reduced to 20kph, the stopping distance can be reduced by 26% and the force of impact by 36%, preventing accidents and reducing the possibility of serious injury in the event of an accident.”Meanwhile, the City agreed to mandate the age verification for users up to 16 years of age. Minors under the age of 16 cannot drive a shared electric scooter without verification, and users over the age of 16 need at least a motorcycle license to use an electric scooter.With the number of younger users misappropriating other people’s IDs or riding PM devices in tandem with other passengers (two to three passengers total) skyrocketing, Incheon is looking to pr

- Incheon first in the country to install benchesmade of recycled coffee grounds -- Recycling coffee grounds has significant environmental valueand creates jobs in low-income districts –Incheon Metropolitan City says it installed the very first batch of benches in Korea made with recycled coffee grounds at the Incheon Aetteul Square right in front of City Hall and at a cafe inside City Hall.Recycled coffee ground bench at the cafe inside City HallThese recycled coffee ground benches are made of composite lumber with used coffee grounds, most of which are discarded as general waste. Four benches are available at Aetteul Suare in front of City Hall and one additional bench is available at a cafe inside the City Hall building itself.Recycled coffee ground bench at Aetteul Square in front of City HallIncheon signed an agreement with Dongha Co., Ltd. to promote the recycling of coffee grounds under the Korea Environmental Industry and Technology Institute's “Validation Test Support Project using Environmental Infrastructure.”The City has participated in the coffee ground recycling initiative since 2019, and it signed a business agreement with local “self-sufficiency centers” in July 2022. In 2023 alone, Incheon collected almost 340 tons of coffee grounds for recycling.Coffee grounds are recycled into wooden decking, barn bedding, pencils, and flower pots, and the total volume of collected used coffee grounds increased by more than 50% compared to the previous year.Incheon plans to continue to push forward with its coffee recycling project by cooperating with each district (Gu) office and local self-sufficiency centers in order to add to its list of participating cafes.Choi Myeong-hwan, head of Incheon's Resource Circulation Department, said, “I hope that this will serve as an opportunity for locals who come to Aetteul Square to think about the value of creating a virtuous cycle of turning discarded waste products into valuable resources as they sit and relax

- 293 out of 400 projects underway on time, on target...95 projects already complete -- “100 million + iDream,” free toll for Yeongjong and Incheon Daegyo Bridges, administrative restructuring, etc. producing results -Incheon’s 8th democratically elected administration led by Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok is on track to fulfill its election pledges ahead of schedule.An internal assessment revealed that, of the 10 key policies, 120 promises, and 400 initiatives pledged during the election, 293 were at least in line with annual targets, whereas 95 were already complete or ongoing. This means, in total, Major Yoo Jeong-bok’s administration has already delivered on 23.7% of its election pledges.Mayor visits neonatal ward to celebrate the first baby to benefit from the “100 million + iDream” policy on January 1stUnder its original plans, the City was hoping to complete 28 projects by 2023. The fact that the City has finished 95 projects to date is a notable achievement.Incheon said that it was able to stay ahead of the curve because it focused on discovering and actively pushing for projects that affected people’s lives on a more daily basis and policies that could deliver tangible benefits.As it began the second year at the helm of the City, the 8th democratically elected administration drew up a master plan for the “100 million + iDream,” which was designed to fit the unique demographics of Incheon, and other transportation projects such as the extension of Seoul Metro Subway Line no. 9 to Incheon International Airport, the undergrounding of Gyeongin Expressway and Gyeongin Subway, the Y-shaped extension of GTX-D, the new GTX-E, and GTX-B are all expected to break ground and begin construction in 2024.Press briefing on the GTX announcement on January 25 by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and TransportMayor Yoo Jeong-bok announced a forward-looking administrative restructuring plan to reorganize the administrative system of Incheon from two Gun counties and

- GTD-D and E projects chosen as part of the “three core innovation strategies in transportation” by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport... Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok hails decision as a “Remarkable improvement to Incheon’s railway network” -Both the Great Train Express (GTX) lines D and E are expected to depart from Incheon.In the early hours of January 25, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport announced its final plans for the Y-shaped section of GTX-D connecting Geomdan, Gyeyang, Incheon International Airport, Cheongna, Gajeong, and Gangnam (Samsung Station), and GTX-E that connects Incheon International Airport, Cheongna, Daejang, and Namyangju.Incheon Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok is briefing on the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport's announcement on the new GTX lines inside the briefing room at City Hall on January 25Responding to the announcement, which included the Ministry’s “three core innovation strategies” behind the latest additions to the GTX network, Incheon Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok said, “I wholeheartedly welcome the decision on behalf of everyone in Incheon.”GTX-D is a Y-shaped route where one branch of the route connecting Incheon International Airport-Cheongna-Gajeong meets the other connecting Gimpo-Geomdan-Gyeyang, then stretches all the way from Daejang to Samsung. Once it passes Samsung, the route splits again, with one heading out to Hanam-si, whereas the other stretches all the way to Yeoju-si. Meanwhile, GTX-E shares the same route with GTX-D along Incheon International Airport-Cheongna-Gajeong-Daejang, but then goes on to Namyangju only.In particular, when GTX-D begins its service, it could allow commuters to travel from Geomdan/Cheongna to Samsung in roughly 30 minutes, and from Yeongjong to Samsung in about 40 minutes, which means the commute (one-way) will go from two hours to approximately 90 minutes.This is a triumph for Mayor Yoo and his administration. Officials from Incheon worked diligently -

- Incheon hosts event to celebrate the new administrative reform billat the National Assembly -- Bill will be hailed as a successful case of change and development, municipal autonomy, and decentralization of power -On January 17, Incheon hosted an event celebrating the passage of its administrative reform bill at the National Assembly.More than 300 guests were in attendance, including Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok, Incheon City Council Vice-Chairman Lee Bong-rak, National Assembly members Kim Kyo-heung and Heo Jong-sik, Jung-gu Office Governor Kim Jeong-heon, Dong-gu Office Governor Kim Chan-jin, Seo-gu Office Governor Kang Beom-seok, members of the Incheon Metropolitan City Council and Jung-gu, Dong-gu, and Seo-gu Councils, members of the Public Communication Council for Administrative Reform, and members of Incheon’s Senior Council.The guests were given a chance to enjoy a variety of programs and attractions, such as a puzzle showing Incheon’s autonomous districts and drones carrying messages of encouragement.Event celebrating the passage of Incheon’s administrative reform bill at the National AssemblyMayor Yoo Jeong-bok said, “The passage of our administrative reform bill by the National Assembly is a significant step in Incheon’s history and a bridgehead for new changes and development in Incheon. It will also be hailed as a successful milestone in the development of municipal autonomy and decentralization of power in Korea.” The Mayor added, “Now that a very important and big piece of the puzzle has been laid in Incheon’s leap forward as a world-class city where all citizens can be happy, we will actively promote custom-designed development plans for Jemulpo-gu, Yeongjong-gu, Seo-gu, and Geomdan-gu in line with the new administrative system.”Meanwhile, Incheon’s administrative system will go from two Gun and eight Gu districts, which has remained unchanged since March 1995, to two Gun and nine Gu districts on July 1, 2026. This merges Jung-gu and Don

- New monument celebrating the 120th anniversary of Korea’s first migrants to the United States and 20 years of friendship with sister city Honolulu -- Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok says, “I hope our new sculpture can become a landmark for Koreans visiting Hawaii as well as second and third-generation immigrants across the US” -Incheon Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok celebrated 120 years of Korean immigration to the United States and 20 years of friendship between Incheon and Honolulu.The Mayor visited Honolulu, Hawaii, Incheon’s sister city, on January 12 (local time) and met with Hawaii State Governor Josh Green and Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi.Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok meets with Hawaii Governor Josh GreenThe Mayor also attended the unveiling ceremony of a sister city sculpture at Pawa'a In-ha Park and a stele at the Honolulu Port Pier 7. Previously, Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok visited Honolulu on December 13, 2002, to meet then Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi, and agreed to exchange sculptures to commemorate the friendship between the two cities. Later on, both parties determined that a stele commemorating the historical significance of Pier 7 at Honolulu Port, where Korean immigrants first arrived, would also be a great addition to the legacy of Korean migrants in Hawaii.Unveiling ceremony of the new sister city sculpture celebrating 20 years of friendship between Incheon and HonoluluIncheon prepared a 1.5m-wide, 1.5m-long, and 3m-tall sculpture at Pawa'a In-ha Park themed “Beautiful friendship between two cities, heading into the future beyond 120 years.” It also built a stele measuring 0.7m-wide, 0.45m-long, and 1.3m-tall containing historical information on the arrival of Korean migrants from Jemulpo Port. At the top is an embossed image of the Gaelic, which sailed across the Pacific to bring the first batch of Koreans to Hawaii.Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok said at the event, “I look forward to building on the past 20 years of friendship between our two cities, and ensure 200 years of sh

- Mayor will attend CES 2024 to share his future vision for Incheon and discuss ways to support startups across the City -- Mayor also visiting Honolulu, known as the first destination for Korean immigrants to the US, to shed new light on Incheon’s immigration history and strengthen friendly relations -Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok is on his way to attend the International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) and visit Incheon's sister city, Honolulu, Hawaii.The Incheon Metropolitan City Office announced that Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok will go on a 7-day business trip to the United States from January 8 to January 14.Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok will attend CES 2024, the world’s largest home appliance and information and communication (ICT) exhibition, held in Las Vegas from January 9 to 12 (local time).Incheon is the only local government from Korea to open a booth promoting its Free Economic Zone (Incheon Free Economic Zone (IFEZ) Pavilion) in the North Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center, which serves as the main exhibition hall for CES 2024. Meanwhile, 16 companies from Incheon are joining the Korea’s K-Startup Pavilion.The Mayor plans to attend the CES opening ceremony and tour both Pavilions to support companies and participants from Incheon at CES. In order to discuss the continued interest in and active support for Incheon startups, the Mayor plans to meet with corporate officials from Samsung Electronics, HD Hyundai, LG Electronics, SK, Lotte Data Communication, and Hyundai Motor Company Supernal participating in this year’s CES as well.Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok will then visit Honolulu, Hawaii, and meet with Hawaii Governor Josh Green and Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi to improve the friendly ties between Incheon and Honolulu and seek new means to strengthen cooperation.In particular, the Mayor will attend the unveiling ceremony of the Incheon-Honolulu sister city sculpture at Pawa'a In-Ha Park, and the unveiling ceremony of the marker at Pier 7 of Honolulu Port, where Korean immi

- Sends a message to congratulate and support babies born on New Year's Day and their families -- Mayor says “100 million + i dream” program, offering KRW 100 million until a child turns 18, will “help with childbirth and childcare” -Incheon Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok welcomed his newest constituents born in the New Year and congratulated their families.On January 1, Incheon Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok visited the neonatal unit at Gachon University Gil Medical Center in Namdong-gu and celebrated the birth of the first contingent of babies who are expected to benefit from the City’s new “100 million + i dream” policy.On January 1, Incheon Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok visited the neonatal unit at Gachon University Gil Medical Center in Namdong-gu and celebrated the birth of the first contingent of babies who are expected to benefit from the City’s new “100 million + i dream” policy.At 11:00 am on January 1, Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok visited Gachon University Gil Medical Center to congratulate and support newborns and their families, and promised that his administration will do its best to help take care of the future of the City.Babies born this year will be the first to receive a total of more than KRW 100 million in support until they turn 18 under Incheon’s own childbirth policy named “100 million + i dream.”The “100 million + i dream” supplements the government policy that offers KRW 72 million in parental benefits, child allowances, childcare fees, education fees, and first meeting vouchers until the age of 18 with an additional KRW 28.7 million from the City’s own budget to provide an Angel Support fund (new), Child Dream allowance (new), transportation support for pregnant women (new). In total, each child born in 2024 is eligible to receive more than KRW 100 million until they turn 18.The Mayor said, “With the rapidly decreasing birth rate, our country is facing an existential crisis.” He added, “My administration will do its best to ease the pressures