Incheon to Invest 19.6 Billion KRW in Regional Innovation Support for 12 Local Universities
Incheon has announced the final selection of 12 universities to participate in this year’s Regional Innovation-driven University Support System, known as RISE.
The selected institutions include Gachon University, Gyeongin National University of Education, Gyeongin Women’s University, Anyang University (Incheon Campus), University of Incheon, Incheon Catholic University, Yonsei University (International Campus), Inha Technical College, Inha University, JaeNeung College, Cheongwoon University (Incheon Campus), and Korea Polytechnic University.
These universities have successfully passed the city’s competitive application and evaluation process. Over the course of the project, which runs through February next year, they will undertake a total of 13 specialized projects. These include high-level talent nurturing in convergence technologies for strategic industries, advancing lifelong learning systems, and revitalizing the value of Incheon’s original downtown areas.
Incheon to Rebrand Songdo, Yeongjong, and Cheongna Festivals as Global Music Events
The Incheon Free Economic Zone Authority announced that starting this year, the signature festivals of Songdo, Yeongjong, and Cheongna will be rebranded and operated as global music events.
According to the plan, by this September, Songdo will host festivals focused on classical and jazz music, Yeongjong will feature rock and dance genres, and Cheongna will highlight genres from dramas and musicals.
A total of 600 million Korean won—200 million won allocated to each festival—will be invested in the events. The Incheon Tourism Organization will organize the festivals at key venues including Songdo Central Park, Yeongjong Seaside Park, and Cheongna Lake Park.
Incheon to Install AI-Powered Evacuation Guidance Systems at 18 Subway Stations by Year-End
Incheon has announced plans to install AI-powered evacuation guidance systems at 18 stations along Incheon Subway Line 1, which sees high foot traffic, by the end of this year.
The city will invest a total of 3.99 billion KRW in national and municipal funds to install additional fire detectors and evacuation guides throughout key areas of the stations, including concourses and platforms.
Once in place, the AI system will analyze the location and spread of a fire in the event of an emergency, calculate the safest evacuation route, and display the optimal path on evacuation guidance devices.
Incheon Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok Targets 60% Completion Rate of Policy Pledges by Year-End
The Incheon Metropolitan Government aims to complete 60 percent of the 400 initiative pledges made under the 8th popularly elected city administration by the end of this year.
The city announced plans to focus on completing 92 key projects within this year as part of the effort.
As of the end of last year, 161 of the 400 pledges had been fulfilled, marking a 40.2 percent completion rate.
The city has designated 274 pledges scheduled for completion during the current administration’s term as high-priority tasks, and plans to raise the implementation rate to 48 percent by June and 60 percent by December.
Ongjin-gun to Launch New Hospital Ship ‘Geongang Ongjin-ho’ Mid-May
Incheon’s Ongjin-gun will begin full operation of its new hospital ship, Geongang Ongjin-ho, starting mid-May, replacing the previous vessel that had been in service for 25 years.
Built with a budget of 12.6 billion KRW, the new 270-ton vessel, measures 47.2 meters in length, 8.4 meters in width, and 3.6 meters in depth. It can carry up to 44 people and reaches a maximum speed of 25 knots.
Taking into account the shallow depths at docking facilities in island areas, the vessel is equipped with a waterjet propulsion system and eco-friendly sailing equipment. Its cruising speed also allows for the rapid transport of emergency patients.
Ongjin-gun plans to operate the hospital ship for more than 180 days each year. Medical services have also been expanded to cover 17 islands across 6 myeon districts, including the five western islands of Baengnyeong, Daecheong, and Yeonpyeong.
Sources: https://news.ifm.kr
