- Discussed revitalizing exchanges and mutual cooperation between Incheon and major U.S. cities -Incheon Metropolitan City (Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok) announced that Mayor Yoo met with U.S. Chargé d’Affaires ad interim Ambassador Joseph Yun at the Incheon Global Campus Foundation Support Center on Mar. 26.Ambassador Yun, who assumed his post in January 2025, previously served as the U.S. Special Representative for North Korea Policy, U.S. Ambassador to Malaysia, and Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for East Asian and Pacific Affairs at the U.S. Department of State.Mayor Yoo welcomed Yun’s appointment, saying, “With Ambassador Yun’s deep ties to Korea, we anticipate even greater development in Korea-U.S. relations.” He introduced the Incheon Global Campus as “a hub attracting world-renowned universities, offering diverse educational opportunities to Korean students, including institutions such as SUNY Stony Brook, Fashion Institute of Technology, George Mason University, and the University of Utah.”Mayor Yoo added, “We aim to invite more prestigious universities and research institutions, fostering global talent and enhancing regional and national competitiveness through expanded education and research infrastructure.”He also noted, “This year marks the 75th anniversary of the Incheon Landing Operation. As it may be the final commemorative event for aging veterans, we are preparing a special ceremony with veterans and dignitaries from participating nations.” He requested Ambassador Yun’s support and cooperation to encourage participation from key U.S. figures.

- Honoring the noble sacrifice of heroes who defended the West Sea -Incheon Metropolitan City (Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok) announced that it held a commemorative ceremony at the Navy Second Fleet Memorial Tower in Wolmi Park on Mar. 28 to honor the noble sacrifice of the West Sea Defense heroes, marking the 10th West Sea Defense Day.As a frontline city in terms of national security, directly facing North Korea, Incheon has organized its own commemorative events annually since the West Sea Defense Day was officially designated as a government memorial day in 2016. This event serves to honor the noble dedication and patriotism of the West Sea Defense warriors and to reaffirm the resolve of the military, government, and civilians to protect freedom and peace together.This year’s ceremony was held under the slogan: “We Will Never Forget the Heroes Who Defended the West Sea!” About 200 people attended, including dignitaries, heads and members of veterans’ organizations in Incheon. The ceremony solemnly proceeded with a moment of silence for the fallen, floral tribute and incense offering, a report on the history of West Sea defense, commemorative remarks, and a tribute performance.In his commemorative speech, Mayor Yoo stated, “The warriors of the West Sea Defense fought to the end with the belief in protecting the nation and its people, and with indomitable courage, they preserved the peace and freedom of the Republic of Korea.” He added, “We will not merely remember their determination and efforts, but strive harder to repay their great sacrifice and bravery.”

- Understanding children’s emotions through drawing tests and diagnosing parent-child relationships - - Learning age-appropriate parenting methods to boost parental confidence - Incheon Metropolitan City (Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok) announced that on Mar. 29, the Incheon branch of the Korea Population Health and Welfare Association (KoPHWA) held the first parenting education session of the 2025 Incheon Father Angel Group Clinic. This clinic program is designed to understand children’s emotions through drawing tests and to assess the parent-child relationship. The program aims to foster a positive relationship between parents and children, and to help parents gain confidence by learning parenting methods suitable for their child’s age. The program is for members of the Incheon Father Angel Group with children aged 4 to 10. Each session accommodates 10 families and is held twice, according to the child’s age. The Incheon Father Angel Club was launched on Jan. 19, 2021 with 208 participating fathers, and has since grown to 2,122 active members as of Mar. 17, 2025. As a unique paternal-childcare community, it is the only program of its kind among the 17 local governments in Korea and has received widespread support from families. The group provides various free programs to support active paternal involvement, including community activities, self-help groups, parenting education, bonding experience programs, and family festivals. Over the past three years, the average satisfaction score has exceeded 95 points, indicating strong support from parenting families. Incheon Director General for Gender Equality and Family Si Hyeon-jeong stated, “Incheon actively supports fathers' participation in parenting and is working to create a city where raising children is easier.” She added, “We hope the activities of the ‘Incheon Father Angel Group’ will further promote dads’ involvement in parenting.” Meanwhile, the group is planning a variety of programs and events th

- Visited Andong, Gyeongsangbuk-do to inspect the site and console residents -- All 17 cities and provinces pledge to strengthen joint disaster response -Incheon Metropolitan City (Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok) announced that Mayor Yoo, who serves as Chairman of the Governors Association of the Republic of Korea, visited a major wildfire disaster-affected area on Mar. 30 to express deep condolences to the residents.The visit was made to check the damage status in Andong, Gyeongbuk—one of the severely affected areas—and to discuss future support measures.The council held an emergency meeting immediately after the wildfire outbreak and unanimously decided to provide prompt support to the affected regions. As a result, the council's executives visited the site in person to assess the severity of the wildfire damage, listen to the residents’ difficulties, and discuss practical recovery measures.Mayor Yoo visited the Gyeongsangbuk-do Provincial Office to meet with the governor of Gyeongsangbuk-do and the acting Minister of the Interior and Safety, and then visited the Andong Indoor Gymnasium shelter to comfort displaced residents. He later visited the memorial altar at Andong Station to mourn the victims and express deep condolences to the bereaved families.Mayor Yoo stated, “All 17 cities and provinces will do their utmost, united as one, to ensure public safety and support disaster recovery,” emphasizing, “We must take this wildfire as a lesson and reinforce a collaborative response system between the central and local governments to better respond to natural and social disasters, while expanding disaster relief infrastructure to safeguard the lives and property of our citizens.”Meanwhile, Incheon decided to provide ₩500 million in emergency disaster relief funds to support swift recovery efforts. Additionally, it is taking the lead in active cooperation by dispatching 131 firefighters and 16 vehicles to minimize wildfire damage.

- KSOC President Ryu Seung-min visits Incheon as the first regional tour destination since assuming office -- KSOC President Ryu meets with Incheon Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok, emphasizing their commitment to collaboration for the development of Korean sports -Incheon Metropolitan City (Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok) announced that Mayor Yoo met with Korean Sport Olympic Committee (KSOC) President Ryu Seung-min, sharing their common philosophy of “exercise is food.”Mayor Yoo extended his congratulations to President Ryu at the Incheon City Hall reception room on Mar. 17, celebrating his return to Incheon with the sports leadership role. They also expressed a strong commitment to collaborate for the advancement of Korean sports.President Ryu, a native of Gyo-dong in Ganghwa-gun, Incheon, was making his first regional tour since taking office as KSOC president. KSOC President Ryu stated, “I deeply resonate with the slogan ‘Exercise Is Food’ that Mayor Yoo introduced during his time as former president of the Korea Council of Sport for All. I am committed to cooperating with Incheon to improve public health and promote the development of Korean sports.”Incheon Mayor Yoo remarked, “President Ryu Seung-min, who came from Gyo-dong in Ganghwa-gun and competed on the world stage, is now leading Korean sports. I look forward to the further growth of Korean sports under his leadership, which I believe will bring hope and excitement to the public.”Following his visit to Incheon, President Ryu continued his tour with a visit to the Incheon City Sports Association, where he held a meeting with Incheon Sports Council President Lee Gyu-saeng and local county and district-level sports leaders. During the meeting, President Ryu addressed current issues and concerns within Incheon’s sports community, promised his active support for local sports development to foster both professional and recreational sports in Korea.Incheon Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok taking a commemorative photo with KSOC P

- 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