12 cruise ships set sail for Incheon in March, helping the city’s overseas tourism industry recover faster The Incheon Metropolitan City Government and Incheon Tourism Organization are working together to develop intriguing new tourism products aimed at travelers either transiting through Incheon or sailing into the City on cruise liners. The strategy is to target the rapidly recovering market for inbound international travelers arriving in Incheon, promote some of the City’s major tourism resources, and prepare for future travelers by raising awareness of Incheon as a travel destination. Starting on March 19, a dozen cruise liners carrying 18,100 passengers are scheduled to arrive in Incheon, and major international airlines have announced their flight plans for this upcoming summer, which could reach upwards of 70% of pre-pandemic levels. Prospects of a major infusion of international travelers to Incheon are driving the inbound tourism market forward to a full recovery. ▲ The Incheon Metropolitan City Government and Incheon Tourism Organization are working together to develop intriguing new tourism products aimed at travelers transiting through Incheon or sailing into the City on cruise liners. Starting on March 19, a dozen cruise liners carrying 18,100 passengers are scheduled to arrive in Incheon, and major international airlines have announced their flight plans for this upcoming summer, which could reach upwards of 70% of pre-pandemic levels. Prospects of a major infusion of international travelers to Incheon are driving the inbound tourism market forward to a full recovery. Tourism in ports of call and transit cities, i.e. not the final destination for travelers, are often hamstrung by the fact that most travelers have only a few hours to spend in the city. Naturally, its share of the overall tourism market could seem rather unimpressive. Yet, it could have a massive impact in the future demand for tourism. In fact, analysis suggests that the ports of

Prices frozen for seven utility sectors, including city gas and public transportation... Discounts expected on the new sewerage rates during the first half of the year as well The Incheon Metropolitan City Government has made the decision to freeze public utility charges managed by the City in the first half of this year in order to ease the burden on its citizens suffering from the effects of a slower economy and skyrocketing prices. This decision is particularly note worthy as it comes on the heels of Seoul deciding to up its taxi fares and other utility rates. Incheon currently remains the only municipality to freeze its utility costs. ▲ The Incheon Metropolitan City Government has made the decision to freeze public utility charges managed by the City in the first half of this year in order to ease the burden on its citizens suffering from the effects of a slower economy and skyrocketingprices. Image of Incheon’s public transportation system. An official from the Incheon Metropolitan City Government said, “Although it will put pressure on the City’s finances, we made the decision to freeze all public utilities charges managed by the City in the first half of the year.” The official added, “This decision is aimed at stabilizing our local economy and relieving the anxiety building across the city and at-risk communities by keeping public utility rates, which are important pillars of our lives, as steady as possible.” The City believes that this decision will reduce the financial pressure on its citizens to the tune of KRW18.9 billion in City bus fares and KRW 5 billion in subway fares. Inparticular, sewerage rates, which the City had raised on January 1 of this year, will remain on a discount during the first half of the year, and this is expected to help Incheon ease the burden on its citizens caused by higher utility charges. Moreover, regarding hikes to the water and City gas bills that have been postponed to the second half of the year, the plan

Plans to produce disposable products, cell culture media, pharmaceutical filters, etc. The Incheon Free Economic Zone Authority announced on February 14 that Sartorius Korea Operations, the Korean branch of German biopharmaceutical supply company Sartorius AG, began construction of its production and research facilities in Songdo International City. The company, 100% invested by global corporation Sartorius AG, acquired its construction permit last month and aims to open its facilities, located inside the Songdo High-tech Industrial Cluster (B) industrial site (211-1, Songdo-dong, total area of 24,434 ㎡ ), for business sometime during the second half of 2025. ▲ The Incheon Free Economic Zone Authority announced that Sartorius Korea Operations, a German biopharmaceutical raw material supplier, began construction of its production and research facilities in Songdo International City on February 14.Bird's-eyeview of Sartorius Korea Operations. Back in 2021, the company announced an investment worth USD 300 million in Songdo, and signed a land sale agreement with the Incheon Metropolitan City Government and the IFEZ Authority in October of last year for the construction of Sartorius’ biopharmaceutical core raw materials manufacturing and research facilities. The company plans on producing disposable bags, cell culture media, pharmaceutical filters, etc. at this facility, and ultimately grow Songdo into its base for global exporting operations. Moreover, Sartorius plans to promote RD and training programs in the field of biopharmaceutical processing to transfer its technology to thelocal industry and ensure shared growth across related industries. Established in Germany in 1870, Sartorius is the worldwide leader in bio research and processing. It supplies products and equipment mostly used in life science research and processes, and it offers related technical services as well. Sartorius operates production facilities, research centers, sales, education, logistics

“Gonggam” laundry service to continue, administrative offices (Gu level) and welfare centers to take applications throughout the year In 2023, the Incheon Metropolitan City Government will continue its “Gonggam” laundry service forsenior citizens aged 65 and older living on basic livelihood security payments. This visiting laundry service is a unique initiative offered by the City since 2018 to support at-risk seniors and severely disabled citizens receiving basic livelihood support, and at the same time, it creates jobs and income for other disabled workers and “self-recovering” workers looking to earn a living. Incheon will receive applications from the Administrative Welfare Centers across eight of its Gu districts, and provide services by selecting applicants mostly from the at-risk cohort of the population, including senior citizens aged 65 or older, the severely disabled, and people living in doss houses. ▲In 2023, the Incheon Metropolitan City Government will continue its “Gonggam” laundry service forsenior citizens aged 65 and older living on basic livelihood security payments.This visiting laundry service (laundry pick-up and drop-off) is a unique initiative offered by the City since 2018 to support at-risk seniors and severely disabled citizens receiving basic livelihood support, and at the sametime, it creates jobs and income for other disabled workers and recovering workers looking to earn a living. The visiting laundry service will support up to KRW 100,000 for a single-person household, KRW 130,000 for at wo-person household, and KRW 150,000 for a household of three or more persons in laundry expenses. The list of washable items (11 items) includes duvets(microfiber duvets, duck down duvets, etc.), blankets, pads, mattress covers, cold-weather jackets, and curtains. Each Gu district office or Administrative Welfare Center near your place of residence will take and review applications, then collect, wash, and deliver laundry for eligi

Incentive travel programs sending tourists to Gyeongwonjae in Songdo, Geumpung Brewery in Ganghwa With multiple incentive travel programs in Taiwan and Thailand sending employees on trips to Korea, combined with the easing of travel restrictions put in place to keep COVID-19 under control, Incheon is expecting an infusion of much-needed fresh blood into its tourism and MICE industries. ▲More than 2,000 tourists fromTaiwan and Thailand will travel to Incheon by June this year on incentive travel programs. Starting on February 19, a total of 350 executives and employees from a major Taiwanese automaker, divided into more than ten different groups, will visit Incheon. All groups will stay at the Gyeongwonjae Hotel (5-star) in Songdo, and their itinerary will include trips to the Geumpung Brewery, a Makgeolli factory and visitor’s center in Ganghwa.Hyundai Cruise dinner banquet The Incheon Metropolitan City Government and Incheon Tourism Organization announced that more than 2,000 tourists from Taiwan and Thailand will travel to Incheon by June this year on incentive travel programs. Starting on February 19, a total of 350 executives and employees from a major Taiwanese automaker, divided into more than ten different groups, will visit Incheon. All groups will stay at the Gyeongwonjae Hotel (5-star) in Songdo, and their itinerary will include trips to the Geumpung Brewery, a Makgeolli factory and visitor’s center in Ganghwa. Then, in June, more than 400 executives and employees from a Taiwanese health food company will visit a host of unique venues (venues for unique MICE events) in Incheon, and host their own event on board a Hyundai cruise ship. From April to June, 1,300 or so executives and employees of a Thai global marketing company and grocery company are scheduled to visit Incheon as well. Tourists from both companies will stay at a hotel in Incheon for 3 nights, and visit tourist attractions, including the Wolmi Sea Train and Ganghwa Jeondeungsa Temple, w

New urban forest prevents heat build-up and heat waves in the city, and also blocks out traffic noise The urban forest project launched by Incheon as a countermeasure against climate change appears to be delivering some promising results in terms of mitigating heat build-up and reducing dust particulates polluting the city. Results from the Urban Forest Functionality Survey done by the Incheon Health and Environment Research Institute (Incheon HER) revealed that urban forests had higher amounts of phytoncide and anions than the urban control group, while keeping temperature and ambient noise levels lower than the control group. The Incheon HER studied eight urban forests from May to October, including forests in Freedom Park, SubongPark, Cheongnyangsan Forest Recreation Park, Songdo Sunrise Park, Jungang Park,Hambong Park, Gyeyang Park, and Cheongna Lake Park for its Urban Forest Functionality Survey. ▲ Quoting results from its Urban Forest Functionality Survey, the Incheon Health and Environment Research Institute (Incheon HER) revealed that urban forests had higher amounts of phytoncide and anions than the urban control group, while keeping temperature and ambient noise levels lower than the control group. Image of the “Urban Wind Forest Groundbreaking Ceremony” at Sungui Station on the Suin Line in Michuhol-gu (2021). Monthly measurements of eight different phytoncides, anions, ambient noise levels, temperature, and humidity, the average concentration of phytoncide in eight urban forests was 259pptv, which was 3.1 times higher than the control location at 84pptv. As for temperature and humidity, the temperature was 2.9℃ lower on average, whereas humidity was 12.3% higher than the control location, meaning the urban forests were indeed effective in improving the thermal environment in the city center. Anionic water and ambient noise levels were 2 times higher on average and 8.5dB lower, respectively, compared to the control location. Overall, the results

2023 Incheon Youth Policy Action Plan covers five major areas with 71 initiatives Incheon hosted the Incheon Youth Policy Coordination Committee meeting and confirmed the “2023 Incheon Youth Policy Action Plan.” ▲ Incheon’s Mayor spent time sharing and communicating the central government’s and Incheon’s own youth policies during the “Central Government Youth Policy Aide-Incheon Metropolitan City Conference” at the Rose Hall (City Hall) on January 31. The Mayor also took commemorative photos with the guests. The City has set the direction of its major policies for this year to support youth entrepreneurship, help young entrepreneurs spread their wings overseas, create jobs and improve the professional capacities of young workers, and offer customized support tailored to each step in the career cycle for younger individuals, provide housing support. In doing so, it finalized the “2023 Incheon Youth Policy Action Plan,” which includes a youth policy budget of KRW 105.1 billion, an increase of KRW16 billion from last year, to be spent across 71 action plans in five areas : jobs, housing, education, welfare/culture, and engagement/rights. Incheon will invest KRW 21.8billion in 27 projects on jobs to promote youth entrepreneurship, overseas expansion, and job creation for younger generations. To support youth entrepreneurship, the City will support venture companies and startup investment funds (funding goal: KRW 60 billion over three years), incorporate mentors from older generations to help young entrepreneurs start their own companies, and create sufficient space for youth startups. It plans to support 100 young entrepreneurs (KRW 100 million each) for a total of KRW 10 billion over four years by promoting the Overseas Youth Expansion Support Project so that young people can take create new startups, take on new challenges, and look overseas for opportunities. Incheon will create jobs for 649 young people with a youth employment project led by the

Plans for Incheon subway line no. 3 coming down the pipeline, new Sangsang Platform to open in the first half of the year Incheon is looking to build Incheon subway line no. 3 as part of the Jemulpo Renaissance Great Project aimed at revitalizing the city’s old center. The plan is to generate synergy as Incheon opens the new Sangsang Platform in the first half of the year and piers1 and 8 to the public in the second half. Overall, these projects are expected to help the city redevelop its Inner Port area. With the Jemulpo Renaissance Great Project, a key pledge made by the 8th democratically elected administration of Incheon Metropolitan City for balanced development of the original city center, finally taking shape, the project is likely to pick up more speed going forward. ▲ Incheon is looking to build Incheon subway line no. 3 as part of the Jemulpo Renaissance Great Project aimed at revitalizing the city’s old center. The plan is to generate synergy asIncheon opens the new Sangsang Platform in the first half of the year and piers 1 and 8 to the public in the second half. Overall, these projects are expected to help the city redevelop its Inner Port area. Image from a public briefing session for the Jemulpo Renaissance Great Project held at Freedom Park in Jung-gu, Incheon, on February 1. On February 1, Incheon hosted a public briefing session for the Jemulpo Renaissance Great Project at Freedom Park Plaza in Jung-gu. More than 150 guests attended the session, most notably Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok, City Council Chairperson Heo Sik, Jung-gu Mayor KimJeong-heon, Dong-gu Mayor Kim Chan-jin, and other members of the public. The session shared some strategic initiatives and plans focusing on four areas - original city center, culture/tourism, industrial economy, and inner port development - to improve the feasibility of the Jemulpo Renaissance Great Project designed to inject new blood into the original city centers in Jung-gu and Dong-gu, and transform them into po

Incheon recruiting new tourist destinations and developing travel programs in February If your mind and body needs a break from the ongoing doom and gloom of the pandemic, visit Incheon for a“wellness” trip. The Incheon Metropolitan City Government and the Incheon Tourism Organization (ITO) plan on identifying and developing new wellness tourist destinations, such as eco-friendly, vegan, and local venues, and promoting wellness tourism programs across Incheon to revitalize the city’s wellness tourism initiative, which is now entering its third year. ▲ Incheon is looking for various wellness programs to make sure tourists visiting the city can access wellness attractions at tourist destinations and hotels without any hassle, and establish itself as a “wellness tourism city.” To that end, Incheon plans to help the wellness tourism industry develop new programs and improve the quality of available features with new tourism service manuals and customer satisfaction surveys. Image of Songdo’s Hanok hotel, Gyeongwonjae, a landmark tourist attraction in Incheon. Wellness refers to an ideal state in which a person’s physical, mental, and social well-being is in perfect harmony. In February 2023, Incheon and ITO will offer customized consulting services aimed at creating new programs at wellness tourist destinations, and also recruiting new wellness tourist attractions to make sure the city is ready to serve a large influx of tourists going forward. Incheon is looking for various wellness programs to make sure tourists visiting the city can access wellness attractions at tourist destinations and hotels without any hassle, and establish itself as a “wellness tourism city.” To that end, Incheon plans to help the wellness tourism industry develop new programs and improve the quality of available features with new tourism service manuals and customer satisfaction surveys. The Metropolitan Government also plans to open a new wellness tourism expert program, a

800-bed general hospital as well as research and education facilities coming to Cheongna-dong, Seo-gu The Cheongna Medipolis, which could go a long way in improving the medical services and infrastructure of the Incheon Free Economic Zone (IFEZ), will get under way this year. Moreover, Incheon is expected to offer its administrative support to make sure the Songdo Severance Hospital project, which began construction at the end of last year, proceeds as smoothly as possible. The Incheon Free Economic Zone Authority announced that it will make some changes to its enforcement plan, such as landscaping deliberations, as part of its follow-up process in connection with the construction of the Cheongna Medipolis, conclude its real estate deals within the first half of the year, complete the building permit process, and break ground before the end of the year. ▲ Cheongna Medipolis, operated by Cheongna Medipolis PFV Co., Ltd., will feature an 800-bed general hospital in 1-601 Cheongna-dong, Seo-gu (total area: 280,336 ㎡ ), as well as research and education facilities, including KAIST and the Harvard Medical School Research Center, and an exclusive Life Science Park. Cheongna Medipolis, which passed the deliberation of the Free Economic Zone Committee under the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy at the end of last year, is operated by Cheongna Medipolis PFV Co., Ltd. It will feature an 800-bed general hospital in 1-601Cheongna-dong, Seo-gu (total area: 280,336 ㎡ ), as well as research and education facilities, including KAIST and the Harvard Medical School Research Center, and an exclusive Life Science Park. Especially, the Cheongna Asan Hospital, when complete, will become one of the top medical institutions in Korea - the Hospital is expected to offer 800 beds in its first phase, then 300 to 500 additional beds in its second phase. Meanwhile, the Incheon Free Economic Zone Authority is hoping to push forward with the Songdo Severance Hospital project, another 8