News
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Incheon’s 8th democratically elected administration keeping to its election pledges ahead of schedule, locals really seeing some tangible benefits
- 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
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- 2024-02-08
- 담당부서
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Incheon to Gangnam in just 30 minutes... GTX-D (“Y” section) and E to depart from Incheon
- 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 -
- Date
- 2024-01-31
- 담당부서
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Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok pushing for administrative reform to usher in a new era for Incheon in July 2026
- 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
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- 2024-01-25
- 담당부서
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Incheon celebrates the 120th anniversary of its first migrants to America and 20 years of friendship with Honolulu
- 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
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- 2024-01-17
- 담당부서
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Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok on his way to the US... Hopes to promote “Smart City” Incheon to the world
- 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
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- 2024-01-10
- 담당부서
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Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok welcomes all newborns in 2024
- 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
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- 2024-01-03
- 담당부서
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Incheon announces new policy to help families have babies, “KRW 100 million + i dream”
- Every newborn in Incheon to get KRW 100 million until the age of 18 - - City urges the Korean government for a major shift in its policies - On December 18, Incheon Metropolitan City Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok announced the City’s new “100 million + i Dream” policy offering KRW 100 million to every newborn child in Inchon. 100 million + i Dream is the first policy of its kind in the country to provide uninterrupted support at all stages of a child’s upbringing from the prenatal stage to age 18. The key is to cover blind spots in the national policy and provide support where needed. Incheon Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok announces Incheon’s new “100 million + i Dream” policy at a press conference held in the briefing room of Incheon City Hall on December 18. Press conference announcing Incheon’s new “100 million + i Dream” policy In addition to the KRW 72 million currently available for each child (including parental benefits, child allowance, “first meeting” vouchers, and elementary, middle, and high school education subsidies), the City is now offering an extra KRW 28 million in “Angel Support” (KRW 10.4 million), “i Dream Allowance,” and transportation expenses for pregnant women. Depending on certain conditions (e.g. individual eligibility requirements and income), parents can receive up to KRW 340 million from the City. Given that Incheon has already secured the budget for its new policy next year, it plans to complete the required administrative processes (e.g. coordinating with other social security systems) to activate the program on the earliest possible date. Angel Support is a project that provides a total of KRW 8.4 million (KRW 1.2 million per year) in addition to the KRW 2 million in first meeting vouchers that celebrate the birth of a child through ages 1 to 7. It applies to children born in 2023 who turn a year old next year. Also, for the first time in the country, Incheon is offering what it calls the “i Dream Allowance,” which
- Date
- 2023-12-28
- 담당부서
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Camp Market in Bupyeong, now back in the hands of Incheon (zone D)
- Zone D (230,000㎡) follows Zones A and B (210,000㎡) returned back in 2019 - - Incheon wants to establish a master plan for next year and build a second medical center as well as a botanical garden after extensive public discourse - Camp Market, which was used as an armory during the Japanese colonial period in 1939 and then as a US military base in Korea after liberation, has been returned to Incheon. Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok held a press conference at City Hall on December 20 and announced that control over Zone D (230,000㎡) of the Bupyeong US Military Base (hereinafter referred to as “Camp Market”) is now back in the hands of Korean authorities (US Forces Korea →Ministry of Defense), and that the entire compound (440,000㎡) will be handed over to the public. Layout of Camp Market View of Camp Market The Korean government also announced the return of Camp Market Zone D on the same day as well. Camp Market's relocation plan was finalized in accordance with the 2002 Korea-US Land Partnership Plan. In December 2019, Zones A and B (210,000㎡) were handed back to Korea, but US Forces stayed in control of the remaining Zone D. SortReturned Area (440,000㎡)Surrounding Area(Bupyeong Park, etc., 160,000㎡)Zone AZone BZone DArea109,961㎡100,804㎡229,235㎡164,938Returned (US Army → Ministry ofDefense)December 11, 2019December 20, 2023-Contamination Cleanup (Ministryof Defense)June 2020 ~ December 2023June 2020 ~ December 2023(After return)-PlanNew Incheon Medical CenterFire station, roadsParkPark, roadsPark, etc. Incheon Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok said, “After 84 long years, we now have full control over Camp Market once again. On behalf of all 3 million of my constituents, I sincerely welcome the full return of Camp Market to Incheon.” The Mayor added, “The Camp Market project will involve a full cleanup of the compound, and we will take in feedback from the public and use it to determine how we develop the area going forward. We want to connect the area to
- Date
- 2023-12-28
- 담당부서
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Incheon City launches Jemulpo Renaissance Committee
- Committee includes 30 experts from various fields and members selected from the general public... Different departments created to promote efficiency -- Committee will provide policy advice, including feedback on proposed projects in its master plan to be announced this month -Incheon Metropolitan City announced that it commissioned 30 members to the “Jemulpo Renaissance Committee” featuring experts from various fields and held its inaugural meeting in the Video Conference Room at City Hall on December 13.Commissioning Ceremony and Inauguration Meeting for the Jemulpo Renaissance CommitteeThe Jemulpo Renaissance Project is a flagship urban development project launched by Incheon’s 8th democratically elected administration. It involves redeveloping Incheon Port’s inner harbor and old downtown area in Jung-gu and Dong-gu into a culture, tourism, and industry hub powered by sustainable growth engines. Incheon plans on expanding the scope of the Projecto to include all of its old urban centers.The City established a new Committee to help promote the Project, which was the first pledge of the current administration, more efficiently and to come up with a plan to revitalize Jemulpo-gu (tentative naming) and its surrounding areas. The Committee is chaired by Incheon Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok, and features experts in different fields as well as City and District council members, and private sector experts.The Committee will be tasked with establishing and amending the “master plan” for the Project, identifying and promoting major policies, improving laws and other systems, advising on the overall Jemulpo Renaissance Project, and communicating with the public To improve efficiency, the Committee will be divided into an “Old Downtown Division” and “Inner Port Division” in the form of subcommittees.Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok said, “We’ve worked very hard to give back the waterfront area around Jemulpo to our citizens for the first time in 140 years. In that sense,
- Date
- 2023-12-20
- 담당부서
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More emergency vehicles across Incheon getting the “green light” to their destination... Priority emergency vehicles going from 15 to 113
- City expands its network of “priority signaling service for emergency vehicles” from 11 to 53 fire departments -- Additional emergency vehicles are getting special units that turn traffic signals green to ensure quicker response time -Incheon Metropolitan City plans on giving priority to emergency vehicles such as ambulances and fire trucks dispatched in response to an accident or disaster.The City announced that it is expanding its “priority signaling service for emergency vehicles” so that emergency vehicles can reach their destinations quickly and safely without waiting at or violating traffic signals.Priority signaling service for emergency vehiclesThe priority signaling service for emergency vehicles was launched as a pilot project across eleven fire departments and fifteen emergency vehicles connected to the Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) in April this year. Given its success, Incheon is expanding the program to 113 emergency vehicles across 53 government agencies from November.When an emergency vehicle requests the priority signaling service using a device installed inside the vehicle itself, an artificial intelligence (AI) system automatically collects the vehicle's current location, real-time traffic information, and computes when and how to control traffic signals to keep the road open as the emergency vehicle drives to the scene of an accident or disaster.
- Date
- 2023-12-20
- 담당부서