- Parallel operation of fixed commuter routes and on-demand service to enhance resident mobility -Incheon Metropolitan City (Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok) announced that it will extend the temporary operation of the demand-responsive I-MOD bus service currently serving Geomdan New Town through June 2026 to further improve public transportation convenience for local residents.The Geomdan New Town I-MOD service operates on five fixed routes during morning and evening commuting hours, while switching to an on-demand system during off-peak periods. When a user places a request, the operating platform calculates the optimal route, dispatches the vehicle to a designated stop, and provides rapid, customized transportation to the destination.Since September 2021, Incheon has operated the I-MOD service as part of the Geomdan New Town Metropolitan Transportation Improvement Plan to address mobility challenges faced by early residents. The program was originally scheduled to conclude at the end of 2025.However, the city considered several factors, including plans to gradually introduce three new city bus routes, adjust two existing routes, and add five more metropolitan buses starting in the second half of 2026. Improved user satisfaction following service enhancements—such as fare reductions and expanded stop coverage—was also taken into account.Based on these considerations, Incheon decided to extend the service on a temporary basis through the first half of 2026, with the active cooperation from project operators Incheon Housing and City Development Corporation (IH) and Korea Land and Housing Corporation (LH).The extension will require approximately KRW 800 million in additional funding, which will be jointly covered by IH and LH as developers of the Geomdan housing site. A total of six vehicles will be stationed, each with a seating capacity of 16 passengers. During commute hours from 6:00 AM to 8:30PM, five I-MOD buses will circulate across four zones, while one vehicle will p

- Applications accepted through January 6, with priority given to libraries, welfare facilities, schools, and other culturally disadvantaged facilities -The Incheon Arts Center (Director Hong Sun-mi) announced that it is now accepting applications for performances in the first half of 2026, scheduled for March through June, under the “Incheon Performing Arts Troupe Outreach Performance” program, which brings live performances directly into citizens’ everyday spaces.The outreach performance program is a flagship cultural sharing initiative in which the Incheon Performing Arts Troupe visits local institutions and organizations to present concerts and stage performances. By providing opportunities to experience the arts for citizens who face difficulties accessing traditional performance venues, the program has helped expand cultural accessibility and steadily reduce regional cultural disparities.In 2025, a total of 87 performances were held, attracting approximately 18,970 audience members. Performances were delivered primarily to culturally disadvantaged areas, including island communities and old downtown neighborhoods, as well as social welfare and educational settings. Notably, 32 performances were dedicated to young audiences, marking a meaningful contribution to fostering artistic sensitivity among future generations. In the first half of 2026 alone, 63 performances are planned.The program is open to institutions and organizations located in Incheon, with priority given to island areas, social welfare facilities, hospitals, military units, frontline public service agencies such as police and fire departments, and schools. Events held for commercial or religious purposes are not eligible.Organizations wishing to apply may check each performing group’s schedule and preparation requirements on the Incheon Arts Center website under the “News” section, then submit an application form via official correspondence or email at limsy0919@korea.kr. Applications

- One-stop support including health checkups, interpretation, and education through Incheon Foreign Residents Support Center -Incheon Metropolitan City (Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok) announced on December 19 that it signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Incheon Foreign Residents Support Center and the Incheon Medical Technicians Association to expand medical access and enhance health welfare for foreign residents.This agreement is expected to be a significant step in providing practical assistance to foreign residents who face difficulties accessing medical services due to language and cultural barriers.The Incheon Medical Technicians Association, a partner in this agreement, is a leading regional medical professional organization comprising various specialized medical technician groups, including dental technicians, clinical laboratory scientists, radiographers, physical therapists, occupational therapists, dental hygienists, opticians, and health information managers. They actively contribute to the community by promoting citizen health and improving the quality of medical services.Through this agreement, the two institutions plan to provide comprehensive medical welfare support for foreign residents and multicultural families living in Incheon.Key areas of cooperation include: ▲Health screening coordination ▲Basic medical service guidance ▲Medical access support ▲Prevention-focused health education. In particular, they plan to actively address gaps in medical coverage by implementing a systematic health support program. This program will cover everything from guiding patients through medical institution procedures to providing interpretation services and follow-up health management.Furthermore, they will establish a rehabilitation treatment and ongoing management support system for vulnerable foreign residents, including those with chronic illnesses, the elderly, and persons with disabilities. They also plan to build a one-stop integrated support ser

- Secure and convenient access to administrative and welfare services via blockchain technology; full service launch in January 2026 -Incheon Metropolitan City (Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok) held an ‘Incheon e-Wallet Pilot Service Launch and Project Briefing’ on December 18th for the citizen participation group of the pilot service and public officials from the city hall and district offices, unveiling the blockchain-based integrated public service app ‘Incheon e-Wallet’ for the first time.This briefing was organized to introduce the blockchain-based contactless public service app ‘Incheon e-Wallet’, gather citizen feedback, and explore operational utilization plans. The goal is to enhance the service's stability and reliability before its official launch.‘Incheon e-Wallet’ utilizes blockchain technology to enable the simple issuance of a ‘Digital ID’ for personal verification. It integrates various administrative and welfare services into a single mobile app, allowing citizens to safely and conveniently access public services.Key features include non-face-to-face qualification verification, electronic certificate storage and submission, one-stop application, and citizen participation challenge services. Specialized services exclusive to ‘Incheon e-Wallet’ include the Eco Hub Platform for managing resource circulation activities, the Island Pass for managing smart passes and island tourism history, and the Intellectual Property Protection Platform for protecting and supporting initial ideas.From December 18 to 31, Incheon City will conduct a 14-day pilot operation with a pre-selected group of 100 citizen participants. This phase will assess service stability and operational systems, actively incorporating field feedback to enhance service quality. Based on this, the official service launch is planned for January 2026.Incheon City has prioritized the ‘Blockchain Hub City Incheon Project’ to recognize the value of blockchain technology and enhance c

- AI Evacuation Guidance System Installed at 18 Stations on Incheon Subway Line 1… Real-time Guidance on Optimal Routes During Fires -Incheon Metropolitan City (Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok) has taken a further step towards realising a smart safety city by introducing cutting-edge technology to protect citizens' lives during emergencies such as subway fires.The city announced that from March to the end of December this year, it is expanding the installation of an “AI-based evacuation guidance system for multi-use facilities” across 18 stations on Incheon Subway Line 1.This system operates by analysing the fire location and spread immediately upon heat and smoke detection by fire sensors in high-traffic subway stations. It then calculates the safest and quickest optimal evacuation route. The calculated information is provided to passengers in real time via LED screens, lighting, and voice guidance, enabling swift and systematic initial response.Incheon Metropolitan City piloted the system at two stations in 2023: Incheon City Hall Station and Incheon Terminal Station. This year, it installed a total of 935 pieces of equipment across 17 types at 18 stations on Incheon Subway Line 1, where evacuation routes are complex.Furthermore, to verify the system's effectiveness, simulated fire drills were conducted concurrently with accredited testing by the Telecommunications Technology Association (TTA). The simulated drill took place at Gyeongin National University of Education Station from midnight on 17 December for approximately three hours, with participation from Incheon Metropolitan City, Incheon Transportation Corporation, and Gyesan 119 Safety Centre.Furthermore, Professor Lee Min-cheol from the Department of Safety Engineering at Incheon National University and Dr Lee Deok-hee from the Korea Railroad Research Institute participated as advisory committee members, enhancing the training's professionalism and objectivity. The drill applied four fire scenarios, including pl

-Mayor Yoo Discusses Korea-U.S. Joint Research and Innovation Technology Commercialization with Johns Hopkins Faculty-Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok of Incheon met with Professor Jonathan Schneck of the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and his delegation in the reception room at Incheon City Hall on the afternoon of December 3.This meeting was arranged to discuss various cooperation plans with the Johns Hopkins faculty, who are organizing the ‘Johns Hopkins Global Bio Innovation Summit’ to be held in Incheon on December 4.Incheon Metropolitan City Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok, Professor Jonathan Schneck, and Kim Deok-ho, Director of the Johns Hopkins Global Biotechnology Innovation Center, plan to continue discussions on: ▲Future Korea-U.S. joint research and industrialization of bio-innovation technologies centered in Incheon ▲Attracting a Johns Hopkins University research center (RD center).Professor Jonathan Schnek of Johns Hopkins University stated, “I expect Korea-U.S. bio cooperation centered on Songdo to establish itself as a new global innovation model.”Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok of Incheon City declared, “Incheon City will actively support the creation of a bio industry ecosystem that connects research and development to industrialization and global expansion through cooperation with world-class research institutions, global companies, and industry associations.”

- Industry, academia, research institutes, and government put their heads together... Sharing cases of hospital placement and sales expansion through education and training-Incheon Metropolitan City (Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok) announced that it held the ‘2025 Metropolitan-Level Domestic Medical Device Education and Training Support Project Results Exchange Meeting’ at Songdo Michuhol Tower on December 3, in collaboration with Incheon Techno Park (President Lee Joo-ho).This event was organized to share key achievements from the past year and strengthen cooperation and exchange between participating institutions and medical device companies.Approximately 50 attendees, including Incheon City's Semiconductor Bio Division Chief Jo So-young, Incheon Techno Park's Bio Carbon Zero Project Team Leader Han Jae-gil, representatives from Gachon University Gil Medical Center, Inha University Hospital, HLB BioStep Co., Ltd., medical device companies, and related institutions, participated, demonstrating keen interest.The ‘Metropolitan-level Domestic Medical Device Education and Training Support Center’ is a project supported by the Ministry of Health and Welfare and the Korea Health Industry Development Institute, hosted by Incheon City and Incheon Techno Park, and jointly participated in by Gachon University Gil Medical Center, Inha University Hospital, and HLB BioStep Co., Ltd.This project aims to enhance product reliability, reflect field demands, and ultimately support product procurement by providing systematic education and training on the use of domestic medical devices to users, including medical personnel.At this event, the progress of the 2025 project and the outcomes of the education and training operations were presented, followed by discussions on the direction for the development of the medical device industry. Additionally, the Korea Chemical Convergence Testing Research Institute presented on ‘Medical Device Market Trends and Outlook,’ covering domestic and

-Establishes Core Collaboration Framework with Celltrion, Gachon University Gil Medical Center, and Inha University Hospital-Incheon Metropolitan City (Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok) announced that it signed two strategic agreements to complete the full-cycle ecosystem for the bio industry at the ‘2025 Pharmaceutical Bio Investment Fair’ held at the Premier Ballroom of Songdo Convensia on December 2.On this day, Deputy Mayor Ha Byeong-pil personally announced the ‘Incheon Bio Innovation Strategy (IBIS)’, defining Incheon's future model as a “Bio Growth Partner” amidst the rapidly changing restructuring of the bio industry. He specifically presented the direction for creating a full-cycle bio innovation ecosystem centered on Songdo, Yeongjong, and Namdong.Notably, through this strategy announcement, Incheon City expressed its strong determination to expand into a ‘global bio city centered on technology and medical innovation,’ leveraging its world-leading production capabilities. It clearly stated its intent to transition beyond a production-focused city into an innovation-centered city, focusing on AI and quantum-based new drug development, and fostering a venture and talent ecosystem.The subsequent signing ceremony drew significant attention as two key agreements were signed to ensure the sustained growth of Incheon's bio industry.The first agreement, the “Incheon-Celltrion Joint Growth Agreement,” aims to strengthen the technology and RD ecosystem centered on Songdo. It includes advancing ▲RD, ▲open innovation, and ▲global joint research, complementing production and supply chains. This is seen as a key industrial strategy to balance Incheon's ‘production-centric’ structure.The second agreement, the “Incheon-Gachon University Gil Medical Center·Inha University Hospital Medical Innovation Agreement,” centers on connecting the clinical capabilities and medical data assets held by research-focused hospitals in Incheon with biotech companies'

- ‘Incheon-Style Content Policy’ Born from Communication and Cooperation... Continued University-Linked Public-Private-Academic Seminars -Incheon Metropolitan City (Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok) has successfully held this year's ‘i+ Design Seminar’ twice, solidifying the foundation for an Incheon-style content policy through a public-private cooperation model.Successful First Session Explores Potential of ‘Incheon-Style K-Content’The first ‘i Design Seminar: K-Content’, held at George Mason University Korea Campus on May 22, took the first step toward establishing a development model for ‘Incheon-style K-Content’.Starting with a presentation on K-Content by Professor Lee Kyu-tak, a judge for the Korean Popular Music Awards, practitioners from private companies like Hanwha Corp. (Fireworks Festival), SM CC (MICE business), and public institutions like the Incheon Tourism Organization (MICE Team Leader) shared real-world cases. They explored the potential for creating original K-Content leveraging Incheon's abundant assets and technological capabilities.2nd Seminar: Designing Incheon's Future with Youth VoicesThe 2nd ‘i+ Design Seminar: Youth Designing Incheon’, held at Inha University on November 27, highlighted the role of youth in Incheon's sustainable development.Professor Baek Seung-guk of Inha University presented on the theme ‘Incheon: A Ludic City Where Youth Stay,’ offering a fresh perspective on the city. Participants including Incheon Spectacle (a local content production company), the President of Inha University's Student Council, and Incheon City's Youth Special Adviser shared vivid experiences and ideas from young people.Small group discussions organized around diverse interests—career/employment, architecture/urban planning, entrepreneurship/IT, culture/arts, and travel/lifestyle—were a highlight, allowing youth to freely express honest and creative opinions about a unified future.The Inha University Student Council President dir

-Highest honor among 66 local governments, practical support program for community integration receives high praise-Incheon Metropolitan City (Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok) announced that it won an Encouragement Award at the ‘2025 Local Government Foreign Resident Support Excellence Case Competition’ hosted by the Ministry of the Interior and Safety on December 1st for its ‘Foreign Worker Settlement GPS Governance, Policy Safety!’ program.This competition featured fierce competition, with only 8 cases advancing to the finals after expert pre-screening and public online voting (ON National Communication) from 66 local governments out of 226 nationwide that submitted foreign resident support cases. Incheon City won the Encouragement Award by presenting its innovative ‘Foreign Worker Settlement GPS’ model.Notably, Incheon City has implemented systematic and practical initiatives including: ▲ opening a Foreign Worker Center for Root Industries, ▲ producing and distributing multilingual safety manuals, ▲ expanding Korean language education (with 2,613 participants), and ▲ supporting the transition to skilled worker visas (E-7-4). These efforts focused on integrating foreign workers not merely as workplace labor but as neighbors within the local community, earning high praise. Providing practical assistance for foreign workers to successfully settle into the community is analyzed as the key success factor.Following last year's achievement, Incheon City has won the Minister of the Interior and Safety Award for the second consecutive year for its ‘AI-based Medical Support Service for Foreigners’. Notably, this year, alongside the Minister's Award, the city received 30 million won in special grants. This funding will serve as crucial seed money to further expand and enhance its foreign resident support policies.Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok stated, “Our policy design, which aims to help foreign workers become neighbors in the community rather than just workplace labor