Incheon City Marks Arrival of Norwegian Spirit Cruise Ship at Incheon Port

Incheon Metropolitan City held a commemorative event on May 14 at the Incheon Port Cruise Terminal to mark the arrival of the Norwegian Spirit cruise ship.

The event celebrated the docking of the Norwegian Spirit, a large cruise vessel operated by the U.S. based Norwegian Cruise Line.

The Norwegian Spirit is a 75,904 ton, 268 meter long ship that can accommodate up to 2,414 passengers and 912 crew members.

Incheon City Launches Disaster Broadcasting Council, Holds First Meeting 

Incheon Metropolitan City launched the Disaster Broadcasting Council on May 14 and held its first meeting to enhance the efficiency of disaster-related broadcasting.

Established under the ‘Incheon Metropolitan City Framework Ordinance on Disaster and Safety Management,’ the council aims to improve the dissemination of disaster forecasts, warnings, notifications, emergency responses, and overall disaster management. It also seeks to define roles and build a cooperative system between the city and local broadcasters.

The meeting included the presentation of a report on the council’s composition and operation, followed by discussions on strategies to effectively communicate disaster-related information to the public.

IFEZ Launches Real-Time Warning System in School Zones

The Incheon Free Economic Zone Authority is launching a smart technology pilot project to enhance safety in school zones.

The initiative involves installing a real-time warning system using a private communication network centered around intersections in Songdo International City, where its effectiveness will be tested.

Tags attached to students’ clothing or backpacks will collect real-time proximity data between students and vehicles. This information will be linked to artificial intelligence (AI)-powered closed-circuit cameras and ultra-wideband receivers installed at key intersections.

When a potential collision is detected, the system will automatically send alerts to students, drivers, scooter riders, and cyclists via their mobile devices.

Incheon Metropolitan City Office of Education Holds Training to Strengthen Korean Literacy Instruction

On May 13, the Incheon Metropolitan City Office of Education held a training session for 200 first and second grade elementary school teachers to enhance their instructional capabilities in Korean literacy education.

The training was organized to reduce the instructional burden on lower-grade teachers and support students’ literacy development, following a 34-hour increase in Korean language instruction under the 2022 revised national curriculum.

The program focused on strengthening teaching expertise through sessions on the concepts and practices of responsible Hangeul instruction, diagnosing students' Hangeul acquisition levels using the tool ‘Hangeul Tto-bak Tto-bak,’ and sharing case studies on curriculum implementation.

Incheon Metropolitan City Office of Education Launches 'Incheon Hope Classroom'

The Incheon Metropolitan City Office of Education has launched the ‘Incheon Hope Classroom,’ a program that offers customized educational support for students in need of economic or emotional assistance.

A total of 184 teams from elementary, middle, and high schools not currently covered by the Educational Welfare Priority Project have been selected to participate. Each team will receive a budget of 500,000 won.

The program aims to promote positive outcomes among students, including improved self-directed learning skills, emotional stability, adaptability to school life, and stronger relationships with teachers.

Yeonsu-gu Becomes First in Incheon to Appoint Dedicated Night Duty Personnel

To improve employee welfare, Yeonsu-gu has become the first local government in Incheon to appoint dedicated staff for overnight duty.

The initiative aims to reduce the workload of public officials by cutting in half the number of overnight shifts required. Previously, level 7 and lower-ranking civil servants were assigned night duty five to six times a year. 

With the introduction of dedicated night duty personnel, that number will be reduced to two or three times annually.

Sources: https://news.ifm.kr