- Opening at 2 PM on April 8, reducing travel distance by 24% and travel time by 44% to significantly improve access to Gyeyang and Seoul -Incheon Metropolitan City (Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok) and the Korea Land and Housing Corporation (LH) announced that the Geomdan–Dream Road connecting route, developed to improve the metropolitan transportation system in the Geomdan area, will open at 2 PM on April 8.The newly opened road is part of Metropolitan Road No. 52, which has a total length of 19.7 kilometers. This section consists of a 3.59-kilometer, four-lane roadway with two lanes in each direction. A total project cost of KRW 158.1 billion was invested, and the road was completed after approximately five years of construction, beginning in 2021.Since the first residents moved into the Geomdan district in June 2021, the area has experienced rapid population growth, leading to ongoing traffic congestion and persistent demands for expanded metropolitan transportation infrastructure. In particular, improving access to Gyeyang and Seoul has been a key concern among residents, making the prompt opening of this road a high priority for the local community.With the opening of this road, the travel distance from Yuhyeon Intersection in the Geomdan district to Dream Road in Gyeyang District is expected to decrease by 1.2 km (5.1 km → 3.9 km, down 24%), and travel time is projected to be reduced by 10 minutes (18 min → 8 min, down 44%).*Actual travel times may vary depending on traffic conditions.In particular, as traffic volume on the Jangje-ro section is expected to be dispersed* following chronic congestion during peak commuting hours, travel convenience is anticipated to improve significantly not only within the Geomdan area but also in nearby Gyeyang district and the northwestern part of Seoul. Furthermore, interregional transportation connectivity is expected to be further strengthened.*Improved vehicle flow on the “Geomdan ↔ Gyeyang (Gyeyangdaegyo Bridge)” and “

- Securing a core control and operations facility to elevate city status and generate economic benefits -Incheon Metropolitan City (Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok) announced that the headquarters for the GTX-B line, which will oversee operations of the Great Train eXpress Line B (GTX-B), has been finalized for construction near Incheon National University Station in Songdo International City.The GTX-B headquarters will serve as a central railway operations facility, equipped with a control tower, situation rooms, and administrative offices responsible for overall train operations. The construction will be supervised by a private project operator, who will then donate it to the state, after which the operator will manage it under a consignment arrangement for approximately 40 years.Since August 2024, Incheon has actively pursued the project by proposing multiple candidate sites to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MOLIT). Following the ministry’s request in February to confirm the headquarters location, the city made a policy decision that led to the final selection of Songdo.The selected site, located in 10-41 Songdo-dong, Yeonsu-gu, is an unsold parcel within the Bio Information Technology Zone. Covering approximately 5,381 ㎡, sufficient enough for the headquarters, the site will be designated as an urban planning facility for railways and then purchased by MOLIT.Once established, the headquarters is expected to accommodate around 200 permanent staff, with total personnel reaching up to approximately 400. The resulting local consumption is estimated at about KRW 7.9 billion annually, totaling approximately KRW 318.6 billion over 40 years. During the construction phase, the project is projected to generate production inducement effects of about KRW 50 billion. After starting operations, it is expected to generate approximately KRW 10.2 billion annually, or about KRW 409.1 billion over 40 years. Considering the local allocation of corporate tax revenue, th

- Strengthening tourism products linked to new attractions such as Cheongna Haneul Bridge and the Yeongjong–Sindo Peace Road while expanding industry cooperation networks -Incheon Metropolitan City (Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok) and the Incheon Tourism Organization held the Incheon Tourism Briefing Session on March 30 at Harbor Park Hotel.Approximately 100 participants were present this day, including domestic inbound travel agencies, Incheon tourism partners, and representatives from related organizations.The briefing focused on five key tourism hubs: the Open Port Cultural District; the Songdo International City; island–marine areas; Ganghwado Island; and Yeongjongdo Island and Cheongna International City. It was designed to strengthen the competitiveness of tourism products linked to new attractions, such as the Cheongna Haneul Bridge Observatory, and to the opening of the Yeongjong–Sindo Peace Road, while also expanding cooperative marketing networks within the tourism industry.The Open Port Cultural District serves as the historical starting point of Incheon tourism, preserving modern architecture and traces of foreign settlements. Centered on areas such as Chinatown (Incheon) and Jayu Park, the district offers experiential tourism that combines walking tours with culinary content. Songdo International City, anchored by Songdo Central Park and its high-rise skyline, serves as a hub for business tourism, with a focus on international conferences and exhibitions.The island and marine tourism zone offers healing and experiential travel based on pristine natural environments and marine resources, including Baengnyeongdo and Deokjeokdo Islands. Ganghwado Island is well-suited for exploration-based tourism, offering rich historical and cultural assets, including Jeondeungsa Temple and the Goryeo Palace Site, as well as regional specialties. Yeongjongdo Island and Cheongna International City serve as gateway tourism hubs, supported by Incheon International Airport, resor

- 40% discount from April 1 to 12 on circular routes connecting major attractions in the old downtown and Yeongjongdo Island -Incheon Metropolitan City (Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok) and the Incheon Tourism Organization (President You Ji-sang) announced plans to provide a 40% discount for tourists using the Incheon Tour circular routes from April 1 to 12 in celebration of 2026 Travel Month.This promotion is designed to allow tourists to explore major attractions more conveniently and at a lower cost during the spring travel season. Tickets for the circular routes will be available at 40% off the regular price, and the discount cannot be combined with other offers. The service does not operate on Mondays and Tuesdays due to regular closures.The circular routes eligible for the discount include two courses. The Incheon Retro Route connects major locations in the old downtown, such as the Open Port area and Sinpo International Market, where traces of modern history remain. Meanwhile, the Ocean Route crosses the Incheondaegyo Bridge and offers expansive coastal views of Yeongjongdo Island, including destinations such as Eurwangni Beach and Incheon International Airport.Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok stated, “I hope that tourists visiting Incheon during Travel Month can enjoy the city tour at a more reasonable price. We will continue to promote Incheon tourism through a variety of benefits and programs.”For further details on operations and reservations, visit the official Incheon City Tour website (citytour.ito.or.kr/) or call 1899-0960. 

- Simultaneous operation of integrated windows at local welfare centers, linking medical, long-term care, and welfare services at once -On March 27, Incheon Metropolitan City (Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok) announced that it would begin full-scale operations of the Integrated Care project, in line with the enforcement of the Act on Integrated Support for Community Care Including Medical Care and Nursing Care.The launch of this project is highly significant, as it marks a transition to a community-centered care system, ensuring that citizens in need of care can receive integrated services in their communities rather than in hospitals or facilities. Moreover, this implementation is the result of long-term, systematic preparation by the city, encompassing the enactment of ordinances, the establishment of organizational structures, workforce allocation, and public-private cooperation frameworks.On the first day of the initiative, administrative welfare centers across Incheon were bustling with citizens seeking consultations. With applications and consultations handled directly on-site, the integrated care system has begun to function as a tangible, everyday service for residents.■ Deployment of 275 dedicated personnel establishment of a functional delivery systemPrior to the launch, Incheon laid its institutional foundation step by step, including the enactment of ordinances, the formation of dedicated organizations, the allocation of workforce, and the development of public-private cooperation systems.In particular, the city formulated a plan to deploy 275 dedicated personnel based on standard labor costs and will proceed with phased placement. Through these efforts, it has established an integrated care delivery system across all 10 districts and counties, ensuring a fully operational foundation that can function effectively in the field.Incheon has also built a cooperative network with 10 partner hospitals, including tertiary general hospitals, and has prepared region-specif

- Devised the 2026 implementation plan comprised of eight strategies and fourteen key tasks -Incheon Metropolitan City (Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok) is set to undergo a comprehensive overhaul of its emergency medical response system. The initiative focuses on safeguarding the lives and safety of citizens by seamlessly connecting the entire process—from emergency patient transport to hospital acceptance, treatment, and disaster response.On March 26, the city announced that it had established the “2026 Emergency Medical Services Implementation Plan” and would begin operating a faster and more coordinated emergency response system. The plan was formulated under the Emergency Medical Service Act and the Incheon Metropolitan City Ordinance on Emergency Medical Service Support. The core objective is to enable emergency medical care without delay through an uninterrupted flow of each stage—from on-site transport to hospital treatment and disaster response.The plan consists of eight strategies and 14 key tasks, including: improving transport and hospital acceptance systems for critically ill patients, and ensuring rapid transport systems; expanding support for vulnerable areas; enhancing treatment processes for severe emergency cases; reinforcing regional emergency medical governance; expanding CPR education to secure the golden hour; boosting disaster response capabilities through training; and establishing cooperative networks for infectious disease and disaster response.In particular, the city will further strengthen collaboration not only among internal departments but also with local emergency medical institutions and related agencies such as fire and police authorities. The goal is to minimize potential gaps in the response process from the field to hospitals and to ensure immediate action in emergencies.Upgrades will also be made to the “Incheon Emergency Assessment Protocol (I-MAP),” which is already in operation. Introduced in December 2025 as the first system

- A public dementia care facility that can accommodate 96 residents will serve as core infrastructure in a super-aged society -Incheon Metropolitan City (Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok) is adding momentum to establishing a public dementia care system in response to a rapidly aging society. With Incheon’s first municipal nursing home dedicated to dementia nearing completion and preparations underway for its opening in the second half of the year, the initiative is expected to mark a turning point in shifting dementia care from a family-centered responsibility to a publicly supported system.The Incheon Municipal Dementia Nursing Home, currently under construction in Galhyeon-dong, Gyeyang-gu, has a total floor area of 2,980 ㎡, with one basement level and five above-ground floors, and a capacity for 96 residents. As Incheon’s first public dementia-specialized facility, it is expected to serve as a key pillar of the region’s dementia response network.Notably, the city proactively laid the institutional groundwork by enacting the “Ordinance on the Establishment and Operation of Incheon Municipal Dementia-Specialized Senior Care Facilities” in September last year. By outlining operational principles, eligibility criteria, and the legal basis for outsourcing, Incheon has ensured that both public accountability and professionalism will be secured upon the facility’s opening.The staff will be comprised of those who have completed specialized dementia training, and the nursing home will be offering programs designed to maintain cognitive function and promote emotional stability. The city plans to establish a standard model for public dementia care services through systematic preparations, including appointing an operating agency and installing necessary equipment.Shin Byung-cheol, Director of the Incheon Health and Welfare Bureau, stated, “The municipal dementia nursing home goes beyond a simple expansion of facilities. It represents the starting point for transforming d

- Public agencies and companies come together to share progress, strengthening Incheon’s goal to become a global hydrogen industry city -Incheon Metropolitan City (Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok) announced that it held a hydrogen business workshop at the new annex of Incheon City Hall on March 24 for agencies and companies involved in hydrogen mobility.Around 40 representatives attended, including representatives from public institutions such as Incheon Transit Corporation, Incheon International Airport Corporation, and Incheon Technopark, as well as companies in the hydrogen mobility sector, such as Hyundai Motor Company and SK Innovation ES.Incheon explained that the workshop was arranged to share the city’s direction for hydrogen mobility, build a stronger cooperation framework among related agencies and companies, and discuss the sector’s future direction together.During the workshop, the city presented the current status of its hydrogen mobility initiatives and future policy directions. Hyundai Motor Company and SK Innovation ES also shared updates on hydrogen mobility projects, hydrogen supply facility operations, and the current status of liquefied hydrogen projects.Incheon once again reaffirmed its commitment to advancing the full hydrogen ecosystem, from production and distribution to consumption, by expanding hydrogen production, refueling infrastructure, and demand bases. Through that effort, the city aims to position Incheon as a global hub for the hydrogen industry. To support the goal, Incheon is working to expand local hydrogen production facilities and hydrogen refueling stations, while also advancing plans to convert all city buses to hydrogen buses.Lee Nam-joo, Director General of the Future Industry Bureau, stated, “The shift to clean energy, especially hydrogen energy, reflects the direction of our times and remains a task that must move forward. Through this workshop, Incheon will work closely with related agencies and companies, taking a leading r

- KRW 165 billion in support, with up to KRW 1 billion per company and a shared 1.9% interest subsidy -Incheon Metropolitan City (Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok) announced that it signed an MOU with Hana Bank and Incheon Technopark for the 2026 Incheon Special Business Stability Fund Support Project on March 23 at Incheon City Hall. The MOU is designed to ease the financial burden on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) facing growing difficulty in securing funds amid the prolonged economic downturn.Incheon moved forward with the MOU to support local SMEs amid rising uncertainty at home and abroad, as funding became harder to secure under high interest rates. Reflecting strong demand from businesses struggling with high borrowing costs, Incheon plans to strengthen the foundation for stable business operations through a joint support model that combines financial institution contributions with interest rate assistance.Incheon has continued to support working capital loans for SMEs through its Business Stability Fund Project. Since 2023, the city has also expanded support through partnerships with commercial banks.Under the MOU, Hana Bank will contribute KRW 990 million to Incheon Technopark for an interest subsidy project, supporting Incheon-based SMEs affected by the economic slowdown.Incheon will add city funding to Hana Bank’s contribution, then officially launch the 2026 Incheon Special Business Stability Fund Support Project through a public notice in April.The project will be carried out through a cooperative lending arrangement with Hana Bank, with the total support amounting to KRW 165 billion. Each company may apply for up to KRW 1 billion, with repayment set as a lump sum at the end of a one-year term. Under the interest subsidy plan, Incheon will cover 1.3% and Hana Bank 0.6%, bringing the total to 1.9%.Eligible applicants are SMEs that operate factories in Incheon or run manufacturing-related businesses, provided they can obtain a loan from Hana Bank. Other s

- Temporary walkway now connects directly to the Open Port Plaza, improving pedestrian access -Incheon Metropolitan City (Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok) announced that a new access route to the 1883 Port Plaza has been completed, making it easier for residents to reach the site. Part of the former rail site along the Chukhang Line was used for the project.The new access route measures 12 m in length and 10 m in width. It was created to connect the existing temporary pedestrian walkway on Injung-ro directly to Open Port Plaza. With the new route now open, pedestrians can move through the former rail site, an area that had long seen limited access. The walking environment has improved significantly as a result.In December last year, Incheon completed environmental improvement work around the former rail site near Open Port Plaza. Aged security fencing was replaced with a low open fence, while waste and overgrown vegetation were cleared. Incheon also created a 277 m temporary walkway connecting the existing sidewalk to the former rail site, opening the space to residents as a pedestrian route.Incheon then secured approval for the new access route after consulting with the Incheon Port Authority, the owner of the former rail site, and the Korea National Railway, which manages the rail line. Following the required administrative procedures, including a report related to activities within the railroad protection zone, construction was completed.With the new route in place, the full pedestrian path from the Gaehangjang (Open Port Area) to the temporary walkway and onward to Open Port Plaza has now been completed. Access for residents is expected to improve greatly, while the former rail site area is expected to take on a new role as an open urban space.Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok stated, “Following the removal of fences, environmental improvements, and the creation of the temporary walkway, the completion of the new access route has brought Port Plaza and the former rail site much closer