- Over 200 renowned illustrators from Korea and around the world to showcase creative goods, art toys, and unique designs -- Artist meet-and-greets, interactive programs, and special exhibitions, packed with plenty to see and experience -Incheon Metropolitan City (Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok) announced to host Incheon Illustration Korea 2025, a large-scale illustration exhibition, from Jun. 6 to 8 at Songdo ConvensiA in Incheon.The event is hosted by Incheon and co-organized by the Incheon Tourism Organization and Messe eSang. It will feature over 200 renowned Korean and international illustrators and character artists, including NOMA, Siksikhouse, and Bluez.The exhibition will present a wide array of visual artworks, including illustrations, character designs, graphic designs and webtoons as well as related products, including design stationery, creative goods, and art toys.Visitors will have the opportunity to experience the world of illustration through artist meet-and-greets, collaborative product creation and purchases, and hands-on experience programs. In addition, special exhibitions will be featured, including an exclusive instant photo booth available only at this event, and an illustration contest to showcase the talents of emerging artists, offering a one-of-a-kind experience.Incheon Director General for International Cooperation Kim Yeong-sin stated, “We are thrilled to host an exhibition in Incheon that highlights the diversity of the contemporary illustration and character industry with renowned artists. We will continue our efforts to discover and host unique exhibitions that attract both domestic and international tourists, promote Incheon as a MICE destination, and contribute to the revitalization of the local economy.”※ For other inquiries, please contact the event office (+82-2-6121-6234) or the official website (illustrationkorea.co.kr/incheon).

- Engaging in various environmental activities, including river cleanup performances, interactive experience booths, and plogging -- Water quality in Incheon’s five major rivers improved from BOD grade 5 (8.3 ppm in 2014) to grade 2 (2.7 ppm in 2024) -Incheon Metropolitan City (Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok) announced that it hosted a commemorative event for World Water Day* 2025 under the theme of “Climate Action for Water Conservation” on Mar. 21 at the Seunggicheon Stream, drawing over 500 citizens.* World Water Day (March 22) was adopted by resolution A/RES/47/193 of the United Nations General Assembly in December 1992 and has been observed annually since 1993. The day aims to raise awareness of the importance of drinking water, promote water conservation, and encourage participation and cooperation across various sectors and communities.The event opened with pre-ceremony performances by a busking band and the Incheon Youth Classical Performance Group. This was followed by congratulatory remarks from key guests and a ceremony to award individuals and organizations for their contributions to water management. Afterwards, children were invited to participate in activities based on this year's Water Day theme of “Climate Action for Water Conservation.” Various river cleanup performances followed, including puzzle solving, releasing loaches to clean the river, and throwing effective microorganism (EM) soil balls.In addition, various experience booths were operated on the theme of climate crisis and sustainable water environment preservation, such as promoting heavenly water and making keychains for migratory birds visiting the Seunggicheon Stream. In particular, the shared flower pots grown by the Sudokwon Landfill Site Management Corporation (SLC) contributed to reducing greenhouse gases by utilizing waste heat generated during the waste recycling process, adding environmental significance.In the second part of the event, a plogging activity was held along the Seun

- Monthly lectures held on various topics, including unification, inter-Korean relations, and the humanities, starting Mar. 25 -Incheon Metropolitan City (Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok) announced to hold special guest lectures as part of its civic engagement efforts at Uni+ Center–Incheon, located in Songdo-dong, Yeonsu-gu, which serves as a regional hub for fostering the foundation for unification.The lecture series, designed to enhance public awareness and promote understanding of unification, covers a range of topics. In odd-numbered months, the lectures will focus on unification, inter-Korean relations, and the experiences of North Korean defectors, while even-numbered months will feature discussions on the humanities and liberal arts.Incheon National University Professor Lee Joon-han (Dept. of Political Science and Diplomacy) will deliver a lecture on Mar. 25 titled “The Trump Administration and the Peripheral Situation on the Korean Peninsula.”Citizens can apply online via the official Uni+ Center–Incheon website (unipluscenter.go.kr) and blog, or by phone (+82-32-440-8102).Incheon Director General for Policy Planning Yoo Jun-ho stated, “Uni+ Center–Incheon serves as a regional hub for fostering the foundation for unification and a space for open communication where citizens are always welcome. We will continue to develop programs that provide meaningful benefits to the public.”

- 2025 Coffee Concert I: Park Hye-kyung Cho Yoon-seung Trio - “Flower Dance” -The first performance of the 2025 Coffee Concert series for the first half of the year will take place at 2 PM on Wed, Mar. 19 at the Dong-gu Culture and Sports Center.This concert will bring together Park Hye-kyung, a singer with a husky yet clear and firm voice, and the Cho Yoon-seung Trio, the representatives of Korea’s jazz scene, to create a vibrant atmosphere, much like flowers dancing in the spring breeze.During this performance, the trio will perform Park Hye-kyung’s iconic songs, such as Confession, Goodbye, and Lemon Tree, arranged in a sophisticated jazz style unique to the trio. Park Hye-kyung has won the hearts of many with her lyrical lyrics and sweet melodies. Known for her soulful expression and delicate emotional delivery, she has never stopped exploring various genres of music. This time, she will share her personal stories about love, parting, and hope.The Cho Yoon-seung Trio, made up of highly skilled musicians, has been widely praised for their exceptional technique and artistic improvisation. Jazz pianist Cho Yoon-seung, bassist Park Je-shin, and drummer Shin Dong-jin each bring their distinct touch, adding depth to the music and allowing the audience to experience the true charm and refreshing spirit of jazz through their free and vibrant rhythms.The Coffee Concert, which began in 2008, is a monthly matinée concert held on the third Wednesday of each month at 2 PM. It has gained widespread popularity as it combines various genres of music with the enjoyment of aromatic coffee, becoming a beloved event not just in Incheon, but across the nation. The achievement of breaking through 93,000 cumulative visitors is a testament to its success.Due to the remodeling of the Incheon Arts Center, the concerts will be held in collaboration with the Dong-gu Culture and Sports Center from March to July, similar to last year. This year’s lineup includes performances of po

- Applications open from Mar. 6 to 14, with 500 units available for lease -- Open house heightens expectations among newlyweds -- Visited by Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok to personally accept applications: “We will continue to provide practical housing support” -Incheon Metropolitan City (Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok) began accepting applications starting on Mar. 6 for its ₩1,000 Housing program, a housing support initiative under the i-Plus Home Dream project aimed at addressing low birth rates and population decline. The application process commenced at the main hall of Incheon City Hall.The project, which has drawn strong interest from newlyweds, is a city-led housing policy that provides residential stability and childcare support at an exceptionally low rent of ₩1,000 per day (₩30,000 per month). Following the announcement of the application process, the city received over 200 daily inquiries. On Mar. 6, the first day of applications, a tremendous crowd gathered at the reception area, forming long queues and demonstrating the overwhelming level of interest.Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok visited the application site, personally engaging with citizens and accepting applications first-hand. He expressed his gratitude, saying, “I sincerely appreciate the enthusiastic response from our residents. So many newlyweds applied on the very first day, and this reaffirms that Incheon’s housing policy is a crucial support system for them.” He also assured applicants that the city would make every effort to minimize inconvenience given the high demand.As of the announcement date (Feb. 10, 2025), eligible applicants must be members of a non-homeowning household and fall into one of the following categories, prioritized according to their order: newlyweds married within seven years, engaged couples, single-parent families, and married households. If competition arises within the same priority group, a scoring system will be used to determine the final selection.Notably, income and asset requ

- ₩32.2 billion, including national funding, allocated for the 2025 Special Regional Development Project -- Expected improvements in residential environments and revitalization of the tourism industry -Incheon Metropolitan City (Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok) announced on Feb. 28 that it finalized a total of 41 projects under the 2025 Special Regional Development Project, comprising 15 projects in Ganghwa-gun and 26 in Ongjin-gun, and notified the respective counties of the 2025 implementation plan.The initiative aims to enhance the welfare of residents in designated special regional areas and foster the sustainable development of island communities.Special regional areas refer to islands designated for development under the Island Development Promotion Act and border regions defined by the Special Act on Support for Border Area. In Incheon, this includes 32 designated islands as well as the border regions of Ganghwa-gun and Ongjin-gun.As part of the Ministry of the Interior and Safety’s Special Regional Development Project, the initiatives qualified for 80% of national funding through the Special Account for Regional Balanced Development. This year, a total of ₩32.2 billion will be invested in the program, including ₩25.8 billion from national funds.Key projects for 2025 include the Baengnyeongdo Multipurpose Community Center (₩11.6 billion; two stories with a total floor area of 2,392 m²), Daecheongdo Village Cultural Complex (₩2.9 billion; two stories with a total floor area of 494.8 m²), and Deokjeokdo Public Bathhouse (₩3 billion; one story with a total floor area of 400 m²). These facilities are scheduled to open in the latter half of the year, and upon completion, they are expected to significantly improve the quality of life for island residents.The city government also plans to invest ₩3.9 billion to construct a 575-meter-long coastal deck at 505-9 Yeonpyeong-ri, Yeonpyeongdo. This project will create a waterfront leisure space where visitors can m

- Application to be made 60 days of childbirth; KRW 1.2 million provided in Incheon e-Eum Points -- “i+ Plus 100 Million Dream” initiative to alleviate families’ financial burdens and overcome low birth rates -Incheon Metropolitan City (Mayor Yoo Jung-bok) has been implementing the Incheon-style birth policy “i+ 100 Million Dream” since July last year.Through this initiative, the city began providing support for transportation expenses for pregnant women, the 1040 Subsidy Program, and the Child Dream Allowance. This year, the program was further expanded to include postpartum care expenses, helping to reduce the financial burden of child-rearing and fostering awareness of the need to address low birth rates.As part of this Incheon-style birth policy, the 1040 Subsidy Program provides children aged 1 to 7 with an annual subsidy of KRW 1.2 million, totaling KRW 8.4 million over seven years. Eligible children must have been born on or after January 1, 2023, and must have continuously resided in Incheon for at least one year with a parent sharing the same resident registration.In principle, parents must apply online through the Government24 (Subsidy24) website. However, if a non-parent guardian needs to apply or if online application is not possible, applications can be submitted in person at the local administrative welfare center.* Government24 (https://www.gov.kr) → Log in (authentication required) → Search for “1040 Subsidy” → Click “Apply” → Fill out and submit application formApplications must be submitted each year within 60 days of the child’s birthday. Failure to apply within this period will result in the loss of eligibility for that year’s subsidy, and it cannot be paid retroactively.The subsidy will be provided as Incheon Love Gift Certificate (Incheon e-Eum) points, the city’s local currency, and will be issued by the end of the month following the application. To receive the subsidy, applicants must first sign up for the Inc

- Available at administrative welfare centers in your registered district from February 28 and in all Korean municipalities from March 28 -- Simple, streamlined ID verification with mobile phone, enhancing convenience for citizens -The issuance of mobile resident registration cards has officially begun in Incheon.The nationwide rollout began with a pilot program in December last year and has been implemented in phases, with full implementation set for March 28. As a second phase region, Incheon has allowed residents aged 17 and older to apply for and receive a mobile resident registration card at administrative welfare centers within their jurisdiction since February 28. Accordingly, the Incheon Metropolitan Government (Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok) is actively promoting mobile resident registration cards to improve convenience for citizens.Nationwide Rollout Schedule for Mobile Resident Registration Cards* (Pilot Issuance, Dec. 27, 2024, onward): 9 local governments, including Sejong, Goyang (Gyeonggi-do), Yeosu (Jeollanam-do), and Gunwi (Daegu)* (Nationwide Issuance – Phase 1, Feb. 14, 2025, onward): Daegu, Daejeon, Ulsan, Sejong, Gangwon-do, Jeollabuk-do, Jeollanam-do, Gyeongsangbuk-do, Gyeongsangnam-do, Jeju-do* ((Nationwide Issuance – Phase 2, Feb. 28, 2025, onward) Incheon , Gyeonggi-do, Chungcheongbuk-do, Chungcheongnam-do* (Nationwide Issuance – Phase 3, Mar. 14, 2025, onward): Seoul, Busan, Gwangju* (Full Nationwide Issuance, Mar. 28, 2025 onward): All local governmentsOn the first day of the second phase, Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok visited the Nonhyeon 1-dong Administrative Welfare Center in Namdong-gu and personally obtained a mobile resident registration card.The card has two issuance methods: the QR code and the IC card systems. The QR code method requires applicants to visit an administrative welfare center with a physical (plastic) resident registration card and scan a QR code for issuance. This method allows for immediate, free issuance. However, if the mobile

- Immediate passport issuance for pregnant women starting March 4 --Aiming for social consensus of respect and consideration for pregnant women-The Incheon Metropolitan Government (Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok) announced that the city would operate a “priority passport application booth for pregnant women” starting March 4 to assist pregnant women who face challenges waiting for a long time.Under the conventional system, applicants had to take a number and wait in line. In contrast, the priority booth allows pregnant women to process their passport applications immediately, regardless of their arrival order, aligning with the city’s goal of enhancing customer satisfaction with passport services.When a pregnant woman visits the office, a passport guide will assist her in processing the application at the priority booth without requiring a number. Pregnant women can also receive priority assistance when collecting their passports.The city government has installed signage and promotional banners to help pregnant women easily locate the priority booth. Passport guides have also been trained to provide smooth and efficient service.Through this initiative, the city aims to foster greater social consensus on respect and consideration for pregnant women, especially in an era of ultra-low birth rates.Son Hye-won, Head of the Civil Service Division, stated, “We hope to foster a culture of consideration for vulnerable groups by ensuring that all pregnant women visiting City Hall can utilize priority services. Moving forward, we will continue to provide civil services driven by user needs.”The Incheon Metropolitan Government also operates Saturday passport services (9 AM—12 PM) for citizens unable to visit on weekdays. Since September last year, the city government has also received an enthusiastic response from locals by distributing passport cases featuring a spotted seal character.

- Up to three screenings for all men and women aged 20-49, regardless of marital status -Incheon Metropolitan City (Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok) announced to expand its prenatal healthcare program starting this year to include men and women aged 20 to 49, regardless of their marital status or number of children.The prenatal healthcare program was launched in April 2023 to identify health risk factors that could impact pregnancy and childbirth early on and to promote reproductive health by covering fertility testing costs.Previously, only couples preparing for pregnancy were eligible for a one-time lifetime subsidy. However, under the expanded policy, any man or woman aged 20 to 49 can now receive support for up to three screenings in their lifetime—one per major reproductive stage (Stage 1: ages 20–29, Stage 2: ages 30–34, Stage 3: ages 35–49).For women, the program covers an anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) test (also known as the 'ovarian age test') and gynecological ultrasound, with a subsidy of up to ₩130,000. For men, the plan covers a semen analysis to assess sperm count, shape, and motility, with a maximum subsidy of ₩50,000.Applicants can visit their local public health center based on their resident registration address or apply online via the e-Health Center (e-health.go.kr).Incheon Director for Gender Equality and Family Si Hyeon-jeong stated, "So many people preparing for pregnancy are unaware of their fertility status, which can pose challenges for achieving a healthy pregnancy and childbirth. With this expanded support program, we hope individuals will take the initiative in assessing their health status and develop a well-prepared plan for pregnancy and childbirth."