Incheon Metropolitan City’s systematic efforts to build a global bio cluster and foster companies in relevant industries are translating into tangible results.Incheon Metropolitan City (Mayor Park Chan-dae) announced that bio companies headquartered in or operating major research facilities in Incheon received multiple awards at the “2026 Global Open Innovation Week,” held from September 9 to 11 at The Four Seasons Hotel Seoul. The awards recognized the companies’ outstanding technological capabilities and growth potential.Hosted by the Ministry of Health and Welfare and organized by the Korea Health Industry Development Institute and other organizations, the event is Korea’s largest open innovation platform. This year’s event brought together a record 23 leading global companies and investment institutions, including global pharmaceutical companies such as Pfizer, Amgen, and Novo Nordisk, as well as venture capital firms.At the awards ceremony, leading companies based in or operating in the Incheon Songdo Bio Cluster dominated major award categories, highlighting their growing presence in the global market. Samsung Biologics received a Minister of Health and Welfare Commendation (Organization) for contributing to the development of a global open innovation ecosystem based on its world-leading contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) capabilities for biopharmaceuticals.Voronoi Co., Ltd., headquartered in Incheon and recognized for its research and development of precision-targeted anticancer drugs, was selected to receive a Commendation from the President of the Korea Health Industry Development Institute (Organization). Voronoi has laid the foundation for its growth through close support from Incheon Metropolitan City, including technical support under the Startup Leap Package and startup investment funds launched by the city in 2020.In addition, Epibiotech Co., Ltd., an Incheon-based company specializing in the research and developmen

Arts Center Incheon announced that it would hold the “Concert Celebrating the 62nd Incheon Citizens’ Day 23rd Anniversary of IFEZ” at its Concert Hall at 7:30 PM on October 15.The commemorative concert is being presented in connection with the “Happiness Culture Ticket” program, allowing citizens to enjoy high-quality performances at an affordable price. All Incheon citizens can purchase tickets for KRW 1,000, while residents of other regions can attend for KRW 20,000.Led by conductor Chung Han-gyul, the Incheon New Philharmonic Orchestra will present a rich and layered program for audiences.The concert will open with Mozart’s lively overture to The Marriage of Figaro, followed by “Tonight,” a signature song from the musical West Side Story, performed by tenor Isaiah and mezzo-soprano Shin Hyun-sun, and “One Fine Day in October,” featuring soprano Yang Ji and baritone Ryu Seung-wan and capturing the mood of autumn. The program will continue with Arban’s Variations on The Carnival of Venice, showcasing the dazzling performance of trumpeter Alex Volkov, followed by traditional Korean music performances of “Gasibeosi Sarang” and “Bae Ttwieora,” performed by traditional Korean vocalist Yang Eun-byeol, further heightening the festive atmosphere.The highlight of the concert will be the fourth movement of Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9, Choral. Four vocal soloists—soprano Yang Ji, mezzo-soprano Shin Hyun-sun, tenor Lee Sa-ya, and baritone Ryu Seung-wan—will be joined by a combined choir comprising the Incheon Male Choir, Incheon Women’s Choir, Scala Choir, Yeonsu-gu Municipal Women’s Choir, and Namdong-gu Municipal Women’s Choir, delivering a grand and powerful sound of harmony.The director of Arts Center Incheon said, “We have prepared a special stage to enrich the everyday lives of citizens in celebration of Incheon Citizens’ Day and the anniversary of IFEZ’s opening. We hope Incheon citizens will create meaningful autumn memor

The night view of Cheongnahaneuldaegyo Bridge is about to become even more special.As September brings cooler evening breezes and a welcome respite from the daytime heat, making it an ideal season for walking and relaxing outdoors, the Incheon Free Economic Zone Authority (IFEZ) will launch “Media Lounge,” a nighttime video content program utilizing the space beneath Cheongnahaneuldaegyo Bridge, starting September 8.The program transforms the expansive space beneath the bridge deck into one large screen, allowing visitors to enjoy videos together with the surrounding scenery. After sunset, the sea and bridge become a backdrop as vibrant videos unfold across the space, creating a landscape that offers a different experience from daytime.The first story is “The Four Seasons.” From the brightness of spring and greenery of summer to the rich colors of autumn and tranquility of winter, the video captures the changing scenery and emotions of each season in a single presentation, offering visitors a unique experience of encountering all four seasons in succession during a brief stop.The video will be screened four times between 7 PM and 8 PM.The screening schedule will be adjusted in line with earlier sunset times as autumn progresses. Operating hours and the number of screenings will be adjusted flexibly depending on weather and visitor conditions. Once the weather turns significantly colder, the authority will determine whether to continue the program based on temperatures and weather conditions.There is also no need to seek out a separate viewing area. Visitors can naturally encounter the videos projected beneath the bridge while walking along the waterfront. It adds a new attraction that visitors can pause to enjoy during a cool autumn evening stroll.During the day, visitors can enjoy the scenery where the sea and sky come together, while at night, they can take in the light and video displays beneath the bridge and discover another side of Cheongnahaneuldaegyo

Incheon Metropolitan City (Mayor Park Chan-dae) announced that it held the inaugural meeting of the Incheon Defense Industry Innovation Cluster Regional Council on September 2, where it appointed council members and deliberated on and approved the “Incheon Defense Innovation Cluster Project Plan (Draft).”The Incheon Defense Innovation Cluster project is a large-scale initiative to establish a regionally driven defense industry ecosystem, with “AI aviation (edge AI-based counter-drone technologies)” designated as its specialized field.Key initiatives will include the development of core technologies to neutralize and intercept unauthorized pilotless aircraft; the establishment of testing and demonstration infrastructure; support for the growth of promising SMEs and their entry into defense industry supply chains; and training of specialized personnel.The newly launched regional council consists of 19 defense industry experts from industry, academia, research institutions, the military, and government. The council will be co-chaired by the Incheon Vice Mayor for Administrative Affairs and the Director General of the Defense Industry Promotion Bureau of the Defense Acquisition Program Administration. They will oversee deliberation and decision-making on major projects and coordinate cooperation among participating organizations.In particular, experts from key demand-side organizations, including the military and defense system companies, will play a major role in the council. They will help establish technology development directions aligned with field requirements and provide comprehensive support for promising small and medium-sized and venture companies in Incheon to enter defense industry supply chains.The meeting covered the five-year master plan for 2026–2030 in depth and detailed implementation plans for the first year of the project in 2026. Council members agreed on the urgent need to localize core counter-drone technologies that are rapidly emerging

Incheon Metropolitan City (Mayor Park Chan-dae) announced that it completed the approval of the industrial complex development plan for the entire Gyeyang Techno Valley Urban High-Tech Industrial Complex by publishing the “Approval of and Topographical Map for the Revised Industrial Complex Development Plan for the Incheon Gyeyang Techno Valley Urban High-Tech Industrial Complex” on August 31.The announcement finalizes approval of the industrial complex development plan for the entire 757,457 m2 site, including the remaining 410,020 m2 Phase 2 area following the approval of the 347,437 m2 Phase 1 priority development area in December 2024. This provides the foundation for the full-scale development of the industrial complex.Following the approval, Incheon Metropolitan City plans to proceed with the development of the industrial complex and the supply of industrial and other sites, including land for industrial facilities, while stepping up efforts to attract companies to move into the complex.The industrial complex has been designed as an integrated urban space, with 507,944 m2 of industrial land complemented by 109,849 m2 of residential areas, 11,746 m2 of commercial areas, and 127,918 m2 of green space. Rather than serving simply as a workplace, the complex will be developed as a mixed-use, high-tech urban industrial complex, integrating infrastructure such as roads and parks with comprehensive residential and support functions.The complex will also focus on attracting companies that combine specialized expertise with environmental sustainability. The city plans to actively attract companies in high-value-added knowledge-based industries, including information and communications, research and development, software development, and broadcasting and video content, as well as companies specializing in eco-friendly advanced manufacturing, including machinery and equipment manufacturing.In particular, the city will strictly restrict the entry of businesses that emi

Incheon Metropolitan City (Mayor Park Chan-dae) will revamp its existing “1,000 Won Culture Ticket” into the “Incheon Happiness Culture Ticket” and launch the new program in October, making it easier for all citizens to enjoy a wide range of cultural experiences close to home.The city government announced that it would launch the “Incheon Happiness Culture Ticket” program in October for approximately 6,000 citizens to commemorate Citizens’ Day and add greater meaning to October as the “Month of Culture.”Following the program’s focus on arts performances in May, the October edition will diversify its offerings to include performances, sports, and tourism, bringing positive changes to citizens’ everyday lives through culture.In particular, the city has renamed the “1,000 Won Culture Ticket” as the “Happiness Culture Ticket” to reflect the program’s goal of expanding opportunities for citizens to enjoy culture. The new name represents the city’s commitment to making diverse cultural content more accessible and enjoyable for everyone.The “Happiness Culture Ticket” initiative was first introduced in October last year. At the beginning, the program provided cultural, sports, and tourism experiences to more than 5,000 citizens, youth, and culturally underserved groups through performances, professional soccer games, city tour buses, and the Wolmi Sea Train. Starting this year, the program has been expanded to operate in the first and second halves of the year in conjunction with Family Month in May and Citizens’ Day in October.This October, the city has prepared a diverse range of programs, including arts performances such as shadow theater, classical music, traditional performance plays, and theater, as well as professional soccer and tourism programs. The range of options has been expanded to allow anyone, from children to adults, to enjoy the program.First, Incheon Culture and Arts Center will present “Hand Shadow Fantasy ANIMAR

Incheon Metropolitan City (Mayor Park Chan-dae) is expanding its “Real-Time Parking Information Service” from public parking lots to private parking lots to make parking more convenient for its citizens and help alleviate traffic congestion in urban areas.After establishing its “Integrated Public Parking Information Plan” last year, Incheon has been providing integrated information on public parking lots across the city through the Incheon Traffic Information Center website since January this year. To expand the service to private parking lots, the city signed a business agreement with i PARKING Co., Ltd. (CEO Kim Dong-ho), a leading parking platform company in Korea, on August 21 to provide real-time parking information.Under the agreement, i PARKING will link real-time parking availability from private parking facilities to the “Parking Information” service of the Incheon Traffic Information Center. The city will then provide this information to citizens through the Incheon Traffic Information Center’s website. It also plans to make the information available through platforms such as the Public Data Portal in the future, supporting its widespread use in the private sector, including the development of navigation apps.The parking information service, which has so far focused on public parking lots, will now expand into the private sector through this agreement. As a result, the number of private parking lots offering real-time parking information is expected to continue increasing.The city government also plans to expand the provision of real-time parking information to 20 public parking lots across the city in September.

Incheon Metropolitan City (Mayor Park Chan-dae) announced that city bus labor and management reached a final wage and collective agreement after lengthy negotiations at the Incheon Regional Labor Relations Commission’s mediation meeting on August 25, allowing city buses to continue operating normally without the feared strike.Labor and management began negotiations with their first meeting on January 8 and held 11 rounds of voluntary negotiations. However, they were unable to narrow their differences and subsequently applied for mediation with the Incheon Regional Labor Relations Commission. After five mediation meetings and several informal meetings to resolve outstanding issues, the two sides ultimately reached an agreement.The negotiations concluded after more than 14 hours of discussions, with labor and management agreeing on key terms including a 4.5% increase in the base hourly wage, a KRW 15,000 increase in the no-accident allowance (from KRW 165,000 to KRW 180,000), and the elimination of the wage gap between commissioned employees working on city and metropolitan buses.As a result, citizens can continue to use city buses as usual without any additional transportation disruptions, and public transportation services, including during rush hours, have remained fully operational.The city government explained that the agreement was achieved through continued dialogue and mediation among labor, management, and the government, based on a shared understanding that disruptions to citizens should be minimized. The city also noted the significance of the agreement, as all parties reached an amicable settlement through mutual understanding and compromise despite concerns over a possible strike.The agreement is also expected to have a positive impact on improving the working conditions and job stability of bus operators. Along with the base hourly wage increase, the agreement includes an increase in the no-accident allowance and the elimination of the wage gap between

Incheon Metropolitan City (Mayor Park Chan-dae) and Incheon Technopark announced that they established the Incheon ICT Complex, a hub for the ICT Innovation Square Expansion Project, on the third floor of the Incheon Hall of the Korea Teachers’ Credit Union (357 Baekbeom-ro, Namdong-gu), and held an opening ceremony at 4 PM on the 25th.The ICT Innovation Square Expansion Project, supported by the Ministry of Science and ICT and the National IT Industry Promotion Agency (NIPA), aims to foster professionals specializing in artificial intelligence and software (AI·SW). The project is designed to enhance the competitiveness of local industries through AI Transformation (AX), which integrates artificial intelligence technologies across industries.In 2020, four regions—the Southeast (Busan, Ulsan, and Gyeongnam), Northeast (Gangwon, Gyeongbuk, and Daegu), Honam (Gwangju, Jeonbuk, Jeonnam, and Jeju), and Chungcheong (Chungnam, Chungbuk, and Sejong)—were selected through a public competition, and regional ICT Innovation Squares have since been established and operated.Through continued efforts to secure national funding, Incheon secured KRW 1.2 billion in national funding last December. Combined with KRW 300 million in local funding, the city invested a total of KRW 1.5 billion and began full-scale development of the facility infrastructure in March.The Incheon ICT Innovation Square consists of one hub facility, the newly opened Incheon ICT Complex, and two training centers in Michuhol-gu and Namdong-gu. The core facility, the Incheon ICT Complex, is equipped with an AI Transformation (AX) training center, an AI Transformation (AX) open lab, an open lounge, and a shared workspace (workbench), among other facilities.Going forward, the facility will offer a range of systematic programs that citizens and businesses can benefit from, including special lectures to promote awareness of AI Transformation, with a focus on manufacturing, support for trainees seeking professio

- Pilot expansion begins August 29, with multi-session programs for adults, menopausal women, pregnant women, and socially vulnerable groupsThe Incheon Grand Park Office of Incheon Metropolitan City announced that it will begin a pilot expansion of forest therapy programs at the newly developed Incheon Healing Forest on August 29. Led by certified forest therapy instructors, the programs are designed to help modern-day citizens relieve stress and restore their physical and mental well-being.Currently under development, Incheon Healing Forest features a variety of therapeutic spaces, including Welcome Area, Breath of Air Area, Ari Rest Area, Hammock Rest Area, Mind Rest Area, Shade Area, Wind Meditation Area, Sound Meditation Area, and Breeze Area, as well as an indoor healing space called Eoulchae. The forest also features interconnected trails, including the Ieum Meditation Trail, Sound and Scent Trail, Barrier-Free Pulrim Trail, and Maru Pulrim Trail, designed to allow citizens to relax peacefully in nature.During the pilot expansion, the city will offer more customized multi-session programs tailored to different groups to maximize the benefits of forest therapy. Programs will include “Forest of Mind and Scent” (four sessions) for adults; “Forest in Bloom Again” (eight sessions) to promote psychological stability and alleviate depression among menopausal women; “Forest Face to Face” (four sessions), a forest-based prenatal program for pregnant women and their unborn babies; and “Forest of Strength Within” (four sessions) for socially vulnerable groups. All programs will be led by forest therapy instructors certified by the Korea Forest Service.The city will also operate “Forest of Resonant Sounds,” where participants can experience singing bowl meditation. These programs will run alongside existing offerings, including “Forest for Everyone” for adults, “Forest Guardian” for groups, and “Gather in the Forest” for families, allowing