- Private investment and MOU to revitalize Incheon Dream Park Equestrian Venue- Aquarium and theme park to be constructed with plans finalized this year and completion targeted for 2027Incheon Metropolitan City and Hanwha Hotels Resorts will seek to revitalize the Seoul metropolitan landfill using various measures, such as modernizing the equestrian venue and establishing a theme park incorporating an aquarium.Incheon Metropolitan City (Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok) announced that it signed an MOU with Hanwha Hotels Resorts VP of Future Vision Kim Dong-seon on Jan. 15 to revitalize the Seoul metropolitan landfill (Incheon Dream Park Equestrian Venue). The signing ceremony took place at Incheon City Hall's reception room, with attendees including Hanwha Hotels Resorts CEO Kim Hyung-jo, Hanwha Next CEO Choi Seok-jin, and Hanwha Aqua Planet CEO Han Hoon-seok.Incheon Dream Park Equestrian Venue spans approximately 170,000 square meters, equivalent to 24 soccer fields (7,140 square meters each). It houses 20 facilities, including one main stadium, three practice arenas, one standby stable, a competition headquarters, and horse stalls.Originally built as a venue for the 2014 Incheon Asian Games, the facility has since struggled to find a clear purpose. Despite repeated efforts by Sudokwon Landfill Site Management Corporation (SLC) to hire an operator for the site, it remained underutilized.In an effort to address this challenge, Incheon has successfully secured private investment from Hanwha Hotels Resorts to modernize Incheon Dream Park Equestrian Venue and develop the nation’s first theme park incorporating an aquarium, aligning with Incheon’s identity as a maritime city.Incheon aims to finalize the project plan by December 2025 through consultations with key stakeholders, including the Ministry of Environment, Seoul Metropolitan Government, Gyeonggi Provincial Government, SLC, and SLC Residents Support Council, and expects to complete the project by 2027.The city anticipate

- Announcement of seven major initiatives for 2025, prioritizing citizen happiness- Incheon's vision as a “global top 10 city,” beyond the 2040 Incheon Comprehensive PlanIncheon Metropolitan City (Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok) hosted its final municipal briefing session at Michuhol Tower on Jan. 16 under the theme of “Incheon, A Liveable City With Happy Citizens.” During the event, the city unveiled seven key initiatives for 2025 aimed at propelling Incheon into the ranks of global top 10 cities.The initiatives include the following: establishing a foundation for a new leap in Incheon’s development; boldly streamlining unnecessary urban planning regulations; achieving balanced urban development; creating a parenting-friendly environment with affordable housing options, such as ₩1,000 rents; launching the Songdo Amusement Park Renaissance project; advancing smart city infrastructure; and assigning honorary road names with historical and cultural significance.Last year, Incheon laid the groundwork for this transformation, including revisions to the 2040 Incheon Comprehensive Plan and establishing the Camp Market Master Plan.This year, the city government will focus on eliminating excessive urban planning regulations. Efforts include consolidating height regulation management to enable planned developments around Wolmi, Jayu and Subong Parks, and introducing clear standards for outdoor commercial activities in commercial districts, thereby reducing citizen inconvenience and economic inefficiencies.To ensure balanced urban growth, Incheon aims to promote urban development in 37 zones by 2032, delivering approximately 230,000 housing units. These developments will include 32 urban development zones, one housing land development area, and four public housing districts, reducing regional disparities and fostering an improved living environment.In response to challenges such as low birthrates and population decline, the city will fully launch the “i+ Plus Housing Dream

- Announcement of new global vision, goals, and six key strategies -- Accelerating the city's “third port opening” to extend its global reach -Incheon Metropolitan City (Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok) hosted a municipal briefing session at Michuhol Tower’s Michuhol Hall on Jan. 16 under the theme of “Incheon, A Global Top 10 City.”The city government organized this event so that the bureau head could directly brief the city’s key outlines to citizens—those most affected by municipal policies—and collect their feedback.During the session, the city unveiled its vision, goals, “6G” strategies, and 22 actionable initiatives to transform Incheon into a “global top 10 city” representing South Korea as a leader on the world stage.Incheon, which opened Korea's first seaways with the Port of Incheon in 1883 and airways with the Incheon International Airport in 2001, is preparing for its third port opening, envisioning its next phase with the symbolic step toward becoming a global top-ten city with an extensive global reach. The city will achieve this goal by identifying three primary objectives: attracting investments; revitalizing old urban areas; and establishing a global brand. The city seeks to implement lead-up programs, such as its “6G” strategies and actionable initiatives, based on these objectives.Genesis: Realizing Jemulpo Renaissance Lead-Up Projects“Genesis”—the first of 6G strategies—focuses on pushing the city's Jemulpo Renaissance projects forward. The redevelopment of Port of Incheon's Piers 1 and 8 entered full swing after an implementation agreement was signed with the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries in December 2022, with construction set to begin this year. Plans are also underway to establish a dedicated Port of Incheon Inner Port Redevelopment Team within the ministry to ensure consistency in policy execution. The administrative procedures for Incheon Station’s integrated development project are in swift progress after being

- Coverage limit for seven categories raised to KRW 20 millionfor the safety of citizens -The “Incheon Citizen Safety Insurance,” a reliable safeguard for the 3 million citizens of Incheon, is expanding its coverage and benefit limits.Incheon Metropolitan Government (Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok) announced that the city will expand the coverage items and increase the insurance coverage limits based on feedback from Incheon citizens. This expansion is a response to a survey conducted in August and aims to provide practical benefits to the public.This expansion increases the maximum benefit for the seven existing coverage categories has been raised. The maximum coverage amount will be increased from KRW 10-15 million to 20 million for the following areas: Death or disability due to natural disasters; Death or disability from explosions, fires, or collapses; Death or disability while using public transportation; Death in social disasters.Additionally, a new coverage item: Aftereffects of Social Disasters, has been added, bringing the total number of covered items to 14.The existing coverage limits for the following items will remain unchanged: Death or disability due to robbery; Medical expenses for injuries from traffic accidents in school zones; Death or disability while using charter buses; Emergency room treatment for dog bite accidents.For the Incheon Citizen Safety Insurance, the Incheon Metropolitan Government contracts directly with insurance companies and provides benefits to residents who suffer death or disability due to various accidents and disasters. The program has been in operation for seven years and automatically covers all Incheon residents and registered foreigners without the need for enrollment. However, in the case of an incident, the victim or the family of the deceased must apply directly to the insurance company.Claims can be made within three years of the date of the incident and coverage is available to all residents of Incheon, regardless of whe

- Increased frequency of express buses, coastal ferries, and subway services to accommodate the transportation needs of travelers -Incheon Metropolitan City (Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok) announced on January 17 that special transportation measures will be implemented during the Lunar New Year holidays to ensure convenient and safe travel for those returning to their hometowns.The 10 days from January 24 to February 2 have been designated as the “Special Lunar New Year Transportation Period.” During this period, the city will increase transportation capacity across various modes, such as express (intercity) buses, coastal ferries, and the subway, by conducting preliminary inspections on vehicles and setting up a special situation room to ensure the smooth flow of travelers.The Incheon Metropolitan Government expects an average of about 287,967 people per day to use public transportation during the holiday season. In response to this demand, the city will cooperate with relevant organizations to reinforce transportation capacity in various modes.The city will prioritize boosting the frequency of high-speed express buses, intercity buses, and coastal passenger ferries to accommodate the increased number of homecoming passengers. Although subway ridership is expected to decline due to lower commuter demand, late-night travelers will benefit from an extended last train service on January 29 and 30, with an additional hour of six additional trips.* Express buses: 39 additional vehicles, 44 extra trips / Intercity buses: 10 additional vehicles, 16 extra trips / Coastal ferries: 7 extra trips / Subway: 6 extra trips (last train extension)Also, tolls for the Manwolsan Tunnel and Wonjeongsan Tunnel will be waived for four days (from January 27 to 30) to alleviate financial pressure on citizens and ensure stable traffic flow. During this period, vehicles can pass through the toll booths without paying by card or cash.The city will also conduct safety training for bus, taxi, and su

- Proactive policies from Incheon to address demographic changes -- Mayor Yoo’s Incheon-style initiatives: a promising solution to thelow birth rate crisis –On June 6, Incheon Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok announced his participation in the “Relay Campaign to Improve Awareness of Population Issues,” highlighting the challenges posed by demographic changes such as low birth rates and an aging population and to raise social awareness.The campaign, led by the Ministry of Health and Welfare and the Korea Human Resource Development Institute for Health Welfare, began in October with the involvement of First Vice Minister Lee Ki-il and has since expanded to local governments and affiliated organizations.Mayor Yoo emphasized the critical nature of addressing low birth rates through his involvement, stating, “Demographic change is one of the most pressing challenges facing our society. Incheon will actively implement various policies to address population issues and work with citizens to build a sustainable future.”Currently, Incheon is proactively addressing the rapid demographic shifts with various measures centered on the “Incheon Style Low Birth Rate Policy.”The flagship initiative, “i+ 100 Million Dream,” guarantees KRW 100 million for every child born in Incheon up to the age of 18, ensuring a stable environment for their upbringing. Among the wide range of other policies, the “1,000 Won Housing Program,” which provides housing for newlyweds and marriage-expecting couples at a daily rent of just KRW 1,000, is another example of Incheon’s tailored approach to population challenges.As such, Incheon is taking a multi-faceted approach to solving the issues posed by demographic changes, going beyond addressing birth encouragement to encompass marriage, childcare, and housing.For the campaign’s momentum, Mayor Yoo nominated Hwang Yeong-gi, Chairman of the Green Umbrella (ChildFund Korea), and Lee Dong-guk, Incheon’s promotional ambassador and a well-know

- Support period extended to 24 months, offering KRW 200,000 per month,up to KRW 4.8 million in total -- Application remains open until February 25, for Incheon residents aged 19 through 39 –The Incheon Metropolitan City government (Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok) has announced the recruitment of applicants for the second phase of its Young Adult Rent Support Program, which provides monthly rent assistance up to KRW 4.8 million per recipient, offering KRW 200,000 per month. Those interested may submit their applications by February 25, 2025.Since its launch in 2022, the program has already benefited 7,769 young individuals. The program has been widely recognized for reducing financial burdens and increasing housing stability.* Beneficiaries by year: 1,381 in 2022, 2,532 in 2023, and 3,856 in 2024The initiative, which began in 2022 and will continue until 2027, initially accepted applications between August 2022 and August 2023.The recruitment period falls under the second application phase (from February 2024 to February 2025), and starting January 2025, the financial support period is now doubled from 12 to 24 months, providing even greater relief for young adults. Retroactive benefits are also available for eligible individuals who apply during this period.Applicants must be young adults between the ages of 19 and 39 who live independently from their parents and do not own a home. Notably, Incheon extends the age limit by five years compared to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport’s special rent support program, which is capped at 34, in an effort to accommodate more beneficiaries.The income limits are 60% or less of the median income for independent youth households (KRW 1.43 million based on a single-person household) and 100% or less of the median income for youths’ original family (KRW 5.02 million for a three-person household). Also, the applicants’ assets must not exceed KRW 122 million for independent youth households and KRW 470 million for the

- Deeper, warmer care: sharing welfare vision with citizens -- Strengthening user-oriented, personalized welfare servicesfrom birth to elderly years –On January 8, the Incheon Metropolitan Government held a policy-sharing forum at the Namdong-gu Senior Welfare Center’s auditorium under the theme “Realizing Citizen-Centered Welfare.”The forum departed from the traditional year-end and new-year practice of internal key task reports and provided a platform to directly share welfare achievements and plans with citizens, who are the actual beneficiaries, and gather their feedback.In 2025, Incheon’s welfare policies will focus on protecting vulnerable groups, promoting health of citizens, and expanding welfare infrastructure.Strengthening Support for Vulnerable Groups:Reducing Economic Burdens and Expanding Tailored CareIn efforts to ease the economic strain on vulnerable groups, the city plans to increase Basic Livelihood Security benefits and the Incheon-style basic income program, “Didimdol Stable Income,” by 6.42%. The support criteria for dependents will be eased, and emergency living support under the Incheon-style SOS Welfare Program will see a 2.14% increase. For persons with disabilities, the basic pension amount will be raised by 2.3% and the number of disability allowance recipients will be expanded.Furthermore, personalized care services will be improved, including routine and emergency care, integrated care for the severely developmentally disabled individuals, and strengthening of the operation of comprehensive home care centers managed by the Social Services Institute. A dedicated Youth Future Center will be established to support isolated or reclusive youth, while integrated social services will be provided for middle-aged single-person households.Incheon City to Promote the Health of Citizensthrough Strengthened Medical Systems and Preventive PoliciesThe Incheon Metropolitan Government will establish an emergency medical system for high-risk

- KRW 1.5 million to be provided in Incheon e-Eum points from February 3 -- Available for postpartum care centers, hospitals, yoga,and other health-related expenses -On February 3, the Incheon Metropolitan Government (Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok) will announce the launch of the “Mom-Comfort Postpartum Care Support Project,” providing KRW 1.5 million in Incheon e-Eum points to vulnerable mothers for postnatal care expenses.As part of the “i-Plus One Billion Dream” initiative, this project addresses strong citizen demand for postpartum care support. It allows mothers to use the subsidy not only for postpartum care centers but also for various postpartum health management services.Eligible recipients include mothers from vulnerable groups who have been registered residents of Incheon for at least 12 months and are currently residing in the city. Vulnerable groups include low-income families, persons with disabilities, protected North Korean defectors, multicultural families with incomes below 65% of the median income level, single-parent households, mothers with rare diseases, teenage couples, families with multiple births, and households with incomes below 60% of the median income level. Applicants must have given birth on or after January 1, 2025, and complete an e-learning parenting education program provided by the Central Childcare Support Center.Applications must be submitted by the mother through the GOV.KR website from the 32nd week of pregnancy to within 90 days of delivery. The Incheon e-Eum points, worth KRW 1.5 million, can be used for postpartum care center fees, medical expenses, medication, health supplements, yoga, and other postpartum health-related expenses. The points are valid for one year from the date of issuance.The city implemented this project in response to surveys and research that indicated a high need for postpartum support. Based on the results of these efforts, the initiative aims to promote healthy recovery for mothers while alleviating

- Intergenerational public welfare projects, from birth to senior care,designed to improve livelihoods through policy benefits -The Incheon Metropolitan Government (Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok) is ushering in 2025 with diverse initiatives that align with its vision of becoming a “world-class city where citizens are happy.” These policies aim to make a tangible difference in the lives of citizens.A comprehensive guidebook, “2025: A Better Life in Incheon,” will be published to inform citizens about the year’s major policies and initiatives. Available both online and offline, the guidebook ensures easy access to key information.First, support for the economy and employment sector will be strengthened. “Half-Price Courier Service” for small business owners will be expanded to include all 370,000 small business owners in Incheon. Up to KRW 400,000 will also be provided to support moving expenses for young people relocating to Incheon for education or employment. New support for sole proprietorships will be introduced to cover 10% of employment insurance premiums. Support for job-seeking women will also be enhanced through participation subsidies and expanded funding for internship.In the transportation sector, the “Incheon i-Sea Pass” will be introduced, allowing Incheon residents to use passenger ferries at the cost of city bus fares (1,500 KRW), thus improving access to island regions. The “i-Plus Transit Fare Dream” initiative will also be fully implemented, offering subsidies of up to 70% for public transportation costs for children up to the age of seven. In addition, the toll for the Incheon Bridge will be significantly reduced from KRW 5,500 to KRW 2,000. The third bridge connecting Yeongjong and Cheongna will open in December, and the Incheon Metro Line 1 will be extended to Geomdan, significantly improving traffic flow and convenience.In terms of health and welfare, the city will promote a “10,000 Steps a Day Challenge” for Incheon citizens. A