- Mayor gets first-hand experience to see just how congested the rush hour traffic into Seoul is (Geomdan New Town and Gyeyang Station) -- Incheon plans to expand and increase the number of intra-city and inter-city bus routes... Airport railroad could get additional trains and also an express train - Incheon Metropolitan City has begun preparing measures to reduce the congestion of public transportation transferring through Gyeyang Station. The City announced that Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok visited Geomdan New Town and Gyeyang Station in the early morning of April 20 to get a first-hand experience of the pressures put on the city’s bus and airport railroad system. The Mayor did his inspection to help assess the situation and devise countermeasures that could alleviate the stresses put upon commuters traveling on buses and the subway as they head into Seoul every morning. At the moment, Incheon has 19 intra-city buses across four routes running from Dangha-dong, Geomdan New Town to Gyeyang Station on the Airport Railroad line, but during the peak rush hour (6:00~7:00 am)*, an average of three to four buses are full and have no choice but to pass by some stops without even stopping. This means some passengers may end up waiting 20 to 30 minutes for a bus that has enough room for them to get on. Moreover, passengers who take the Airport Railroad from Gyeyang Station to Seoul face sub-optimal conditions during rush hour with overcrowded trains. * Time period when the demand for traffic reaches its maximum On his inspection, Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok saw for himself how crowded the commuter buses and trains are at Geomdan New Town and Gyeyang Station. The chaos prompted the Mayor to put his administration to work on finding fast-acting solutions that could alleviate congestion for people using the public transportation network and make the commuting experience much less painful during rush hour with more local bus services and additional trains on the Airport Railroad line. Mayor

- Multimedia drone show coming in May... Drones will light up Songdo’s skyline after dusk on four different nights -- “Chefood Bus-chellin,” a new double-decker bus with dining options on the move coming in April~June... Songdo Marble Walk also opening soon - Korea’s first-ever “city of light” (designated city for “nighttime tourism”), Incheon is ready to offer a variety of new, fun-filled tourism programs available during the evening hours. Incheon Metropolitan City (Mayor: Yoo Jeong-bok) and the Incheon Tourism Organization (President: Baek Hyun) announced that the two organizations are hosting multiple different nighttime events, including a multimedia drone show and the “Chefood Bus-chellin” program, to offer tourists visiting Incheon a night to remember. Incheon Songdo International City, Open Port, and Wolmido, were chosen as the nation's first city districts specializing in nighttime tourism back in September of last year. Accordingly, Incheon has been busy developing and promoting new nighttime tourism programs, which the City expects to continue until 2025. Getting things under way will be a multimedia drone show in May. The multimedia drone show will light up the night sky near Songdo Central Park (four sessions: May 3, May 13, May 17, May 27) and feature fantastic programs led by 500 drones flying high in the sky, and also drones on water and performances on the water stage inside the Park for an unforgettable night out. On May 17, a concert will get under way with about 1,000 drones in connection with the 2023 Korea Drone Urban Air Transportation (UAM) Expo, and busking performances will be available across Songdo, Open Port, and Wolmido at the same time to offer tourists visiting Incheon in the spring season a truly special experience. For those looking for a more dynamic experience, Incheon is offering the Songdo Marble Walk. On May 27, tourists will get a special chance to walk along Songdo Central Park and immerse themselves in th

- Incheon continues to discuss ongoing cooperation and friendly relations between the two cities - Incheon Metropolitan City (Mayor: Yoo Jeong-bok) announced that Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok met with a delegation from China, including Qingdao Mayor Zhao Haozhi, on their visit to Incheon Metropolitan City Hall on April 10 in order to discuss possible ways to strengthen the friendly ties and cooperation between the two cities. Incheon and Qingdao have been active partners since September 1995, working together in various fields such as economy, trade, ports, logistics, culture, and human resources. In 2015, celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Friendship City Agreement with Qingdao, Mayor Yoo visited Qingdao on his trip to stimulate tourism and economic cooperation between Incheon and some of China’s largest cities. Meanwhile, Qingdao is a leading industrial city in Shandong Province, China. It is home to traditional industries such as textiles, machinery, automobiles, chemicals, and beer, as well as emerging industries such as marine, bio, new energy, and eco-friendly industries. The city has the largest contingent of Koreans living in China, and is also a popular destination for Korean tourists traveling to China. Mayor Zhao Haozhi said, “I visited Incheon for the first time in three years because of the COVID-19 pandemic, but I am grateful for the warm welcome.” He added, “Given that Qingdao and Incheon are so close geographically, we hope to work together across a variety of different fields such as port logistics and the exchange of human resources.” In response, Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok said, “I hope that our city can further strengthen our friendly ties with Qingdao, and I am confident my meeting with Mayor Zhao Haozhi will serve as a foundation for new collaborative projects in the fields of economy, port, logistics, culture, and the exchange of human resources between the two cities going forward.”  

- Reopening on April 5 after extensive upgrades... Book your campsite via “Interpark” - - Features camping facilities (auto camping, caravans), amenities, parking spaces, etc., and offers access to the Ara Canal - Incheon Metropolitan City (Mayor: Yoo Jeong-bok) announced that its “Noeuljin Campground,” the largest campground in the metropolitan area, will reopen on April 5. Noeuljin Campground is located in Seo-gu, Incheon (500, Jeongseojin-ro), and features a total of 118 campsites - 86 sites for auto camping and 32 caravans - across an area of 83,083㎡. It also has two utility buildings, a canteen, and parking spaces for campers. From January to March, the City Government closed the campground to upgrade its water system, add features for children, improve the landscaping, and install new turf for the footsal pitch in an effort to offer campers a more pleasant and safer camping experience. The campground now has a new playground for children and a waterfront promenade where campers can watch the sunset. Moreover, the campground offers great access to the Gyeongin Ara Canal, which gives visitors a great opportunity to enjoy a long walk, bike ride, or other outdoor activities along the waterfront. Each auto campsite costs KRW 25,000 on weekdays for non-residents and KRW 20,000 for Incheon residents. On weekends, each site costs KRW 30,000 and KRW 24,000 for non-residents and residents, respectively. Seo-gu residents, disabled persons, persons of national merit, and basic livelihood recipients can book their campsite at a 30% discount. Caravans are available for KRW 90,000~KRW 100,000 depending on the number of users (2~4 people) on weekdays, and KRW 125,000~KRW135,000 on weekends. To use the Noeuljin Campground, you need a reservation. Reservations open at 14:00 on the 15th of each month via Interpark (http://ticket.interpark.com). For more information on using the camping site, please contact the Noeuljin Campground office (☎1533-7847). Kim In-soo, Dire

- Incheon residents and registered aliens all covered in case of disaster, no application or subscription required - - Insurance covers 12 categories: explosion, fire, collapse, bus/taxi/subway accidents, etc. - - Up to KRW 10 million in death benefits, KRW 15 million in long-term accident/disaster disability benefits - Incheon Metropolitan City (Mayor: Yoo Jeong-bok) announced its renewed annual Citizen Safety Insurance to protect the well-being and livelihood of Incheon citizens against damages, bodily injury, or death caused by disasters and accidents. Each year, Incheon subscribes to a Citizen Safety Insurance and pays all premiums. The insurance policy covers long-term disabilities or deaths caused by natural disasters, explosion/fire/collapse accidents, accidents while using public transportation, traffic accidents in school zones, etc. Citizens and legal aliens registered in Incheon are automatically subscribed to the insurance without having to apply for it themselves. However, in the event of an accident or disaster, the victim or bereaved family members must apply for benefits from the insurance company themselves. Starting this year, Incheon’s Citizen Safety Insurance covers deaths caused by non-natural disasters in addition to previously covered items such as death from natural disasters, explosion/fire/collapse accidents, accidents while using public transportation, robbery injuries, accidents while using chartered buses (accidents since 2021 covered) as well as medical expenses stemming from traffic accidents in school zones, and treatment costs for visiting the emergency room to treat canine attacks (accidents since 2022 covered). More specifically, from 2023, if three or more deaths occur in a single accident, such as a crushing accident in a heavily overcrowded area or venue, each victim shall be entitled to a death benefit under the Citizen Safety Insurance. Insurance offers up to KRW 10 million for death, up to KRW 15 million for long-term disa

- Closes on April 23, Incheon Grand Park flower pavilion to host event during the cherry blossom season - - 21 spring flower species, including rapeseed flowers and pansy flowers available (10,000 individual plants), along with photo zone featuring “moon rabbits” and other sculptures - The Incheon Metropolitan City Government (Mayor: Yoo Jeong-bok) is hosting the “2023 Incheon Flower Exhibition” at Incheon Grand Park from April 7 to 23. The flower exhibition gets under way in line with the “Incheon Grand Park Cherry Blossom Festival” and “Green Incheon Writing Contest” at the Culture Plaza also at Incheon Grand Park. This year, the exhibition is making its return for the first time in four years (since 2019). For people who may have not been able to go out to fully embrace the new spring season due in large part to lingering concerns over COVID-19, enjoying the cherry blossoms in full bloom and warm spring sunshine at the flower exhibition could be a simple but memorable experience, and a reminder that we are indeed returning to normalcy as the pandemic disappears into our rearview mirror. The Incheon Flower Exhibition will feature rapeseed flowers inside its exhibition hall to really give visitors a taste of spring, and 21 different types of spring flowers such as pansies, margarets, and violas (more than 10,000 individual plants). The event will also include a photo zone and storyline with 13 sculptures made under various themes (e.g. moon rabbits). Heo Hong-gi, Head of the Green Space Policy Division, said, “Our City will do its best to prepare for the Flower Exhibition so that people who have not been able to go out and enjoy spring flower exhibitions over the past couple of years can embrace the new season and have a great time with some beautiful spring flowers.”

New plan features 11 core projects for railway, road, and parking facilities across Jung-gu and Dong-gu - The Incheon Metropolitan City Government is adding major upgrades to its road and railway network across Jung-gu and Dong-gu, both districts at the heart of Incheon’s old city center, in an attempt to lay the foundation that could potentially lead its Jemulpo Renaissance project to success. The City Government (Mayor: Yoo Jeong-bok) announced its new “Jemulpo Renaissance Traffic Network Plan” that includes eleven core projects* (railroads, roads, and parking areas) across various locations in Jung-gu and Dong-gu area. The proposed traffic network upgrades will likely serve as the foundation of the Jemulpo Renaissance Project, which was a key pledge made by Mayor Jeong-bok Yoo (8th democratically elected administration of Incheon) and kick-start a more balanced development of the old city center. * 11 core projects for the new Jemulpo Renaissance transportation network ① Wolpan Line, Incheon Station extension; ② Airport Railroad no. 2 construction; ③ Gyeongin Metro subterranean construction; ④ Incheon Subway Circular Line no. 3; ⑤ Bupyeong Coastal Pier (tram); ⑥Sungin Underpass and Connecting Road construction; ⑦ Gyeongin Expressway no. 4; ⑧ Bukseong Port~Wolmido Access Road construction; ⑨ Incheon Road Network Construction Plan research; ⑩Wolmi Public Parking Lot expansion; and ⑪ Sinpo-dong Public Parking expansion Firstly, the City plans to build a high-speed rail network that directly connects the old city center to other major cities across the country. Plans to extend the Wolpan Line to Incheon Station as well as plans to build the Airport Railroad no. 2, the Incheon Circular Line no. 3 (loop line servicing Incheon), and Bupyeong Coastal Pier will get under way to offer faster and more convenient transportation options for residents in the old city center (Jung-gu and Dong-gu), and also execute a strategy that brings the Gyeongin

- On March 19, Hapag-Lloyd's EUROPA 2 arrives in Incheon Port - - Welcome event followed by a trip to Incheon’s top tourist attractions, including Sinpo Market and Wolmido Island - With the worst of COVID-19 now in the rearview mirror, a cruise ship has sailed into Incheon for the first time in three years. The Incheon Metropolitan City Government (Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok) announced that Hapag-Lloyd’s EUROPA2 (43,000 ton class), a German cruise ship, carrying a total of 914 people, including 544 passengers and 370 crew members, arrived in Incheon on the morning of March 19. EUROPA 2 previously departed from Hong Kong on March 10, and sailed to Okinawa, Nagasaki, and Busan before making the trip up to Incheon. Next up on its itinerary are Osaka, Shimizu, and Tokyo in Japan. The Incheon Metropolitan City Government, Incheon Port Authority, Incheon Regional Office of Oceans and Fisheries, and the Incheon Tourism Organization celebrated the first cruise ship to enter its waters since the COVID-19 crisis with a welcome event at Pier 1 of the Incheon Inner Harbor on 7:30 am when passengers disembarked from EUROPA 2. The event featured a Korean traditional music ensemble performance, a traditional costume-wearing event, and a Korean calligraphy class. To mark the occasion, the City Government, Port Authority, and the Korea Tourism Organization handed out EUROPA 2’s first passenger, the captain, and a handful of other crew members a commemorative plaque, leis, and souvenirs. After the event, passengers took a tour of some of Incheon’s top tourist destinations, including Sinpo Market and Wolmido Island, before departing at 8:00 pm that day. The Mayor said, “We’re really glad to see a cruise ship sailing into our port for the first time in three years. Incheon is the perfect city for ‘Fly Cruise’ travelers since it has a cruise terminal capable of fitting the world's largest (225,000 ton class) vessels and Korea's largest international airport that serves as a hub

- 1,200㎡ dog park comes with a variety of obstacles for dogs and other amenities for their owners - City plans to bring the number of dog parks in the city to ten by 2026 - The Incheon Metropolitan City Government (Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok) recently announced a new plan to create a dog park inside Wolmi Park in hopes to turn the City into the perfect place both dogs and their owners can live happier and healthier than ever. The park, for which construction works will begin this April, is set to open sometime in late May. The 1,200㎡ Wolmi dog park is the first of its kind in the Jung-gu and Dong-gu districts of Incheon (102-2, Bukseong-dong 1-ga, Jung-gu), and according to its blueprint, the park will feature two separate zones - one for larger dogs and another for smaller dogs. The park also comes with an administrative office and a whole complement of obstacles, including stairs, a slope, a tunnel, and a bridge, as well as a drinking fountain for dogs. Of course, the park will have amenities for dog owners such as a heat/sun shelter and benches. To help prevent accidents and resolve disputes, the City will install CCTVs and monitor park users for any negligent or dangerous behavior. The Wolmi dog park is available to registered dogs only. Unregistered dogs or “dangerous dogs” as defined by the Animal Protection Act shall not be allowed inside the park. Moreover, for safety reasons, children under the age of 13 shall not be allowed inside the park unless accompanied by a guardian or parent. Choi Jong-soon, head of the Wolmi Park Management Office, said, “We hope that our new dog park can turn Incheon into a city where dogs and their owners can run around as much as they want and enjoy a nice relaxing day out in the heart of the city.” Meanwhile, as of March 2023, Incheon has four dog parks: one each at Incheon Grand Park in Namdong-gu, Kkotmaru Park in Gyeyang-gu, Songdo Moonlight Park in Yeonsu-gu, and Munhaksan Pet Park in Michuhol-gu. The City plans on inc

Incheon establishes future strategy, including city-wide connection, future/green industries, logistics, and tourism With the successful launching of the New Hong Kong City project, Incheon City says it is ready to take its next leap forward as a city known for its cutting-edge innovation, liberal and international environment, and fast-paced growth. The New Hong Kong City project, one of the key pledges of the 8th democratically elected administration of Incheon, is a comprehensive strategy to develop Incheon into a global hub city that stands shoulder to shoulder with Hong Kong and Singapore using strategies aimed at responding keenly to changes in the international environment and maximizing its potential as well as city infrastructure. ▲ On March 15, Incheon Metropolitan City Government hosted the “New Hong Kong City Project Vision Declaration Ceremony” at the Yeongjong Sky Cultural Center Plaza in Jung-gu. At the event, City officials announced the City’s aspirations to take the next leap forward in its journey of becoming a bona fide international metropolis. Image of attendees at the vision declaration ceremony. In September of last year, the city set the direction of the project and started preparing a list of specific strategies. In October, it signed a memorandum of understanding with the American Chamber of Commerce in Korea (AMCHAM) on mutual cooperation. In early March this year, Incheon Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok visited Hong Kong to see where the city is going. This, combined with his trips to Singapore and Europe last year, helped the Mayor put the final touches to his New Hong Kong City plan. Now that it has announced its vision for the project, Incheon is hoping to organize and share the blueprint and strategy for New Hong Kong City that it has envisioned so far, and start pushing forward with the project in earnest. The three goals of the New Hong Kong City project are focused on turning Incheon into: ① a high-tech innovation city where locals