Incheon Secures Record 7.5 Trillion Won in Government Funding
Incheon Metropolitan City has announced that it secured a record-high 7.5 trillion won in central government funding, marking the largest amount ever received. According to the city, this year’s total includes 6.47 trillion won in national subsidies and 1.05 trillion won in general purpose grants, bringing the combined total to 7.52 trillion won. The city announced that it has secured a stable financial foundation with both national subsidies and general grants reaching all-time highs, despite difficult conditions over the past three years due to the government’s tax revenue shortfalls and tight fiscal policy.
Incheon’s Cruise Tourists Double to Nearly 34,000
The number of cruise tourists visiting Incheon last year has more than doubled to 33,755, up from 16,278 in 2024. Incheon Metropolitan City said the increase reflects the city’s strengthened status as a leading cruise port in Northeast Asia since the COVID-19 pandemic. The city added that it will continue to pursue various strategies to ensure the sustainable growth of the cruise industry and further enhance Incheon’s competitiveness as a global cruise destination.
Incheon Improves Convenience of Credit Card Auto-Payment for Water Bills
Incheon Waterworks Authority has made system improvements to allow residents who apply for automatic credit card payments to have the service applied in the same month. Previously, the process required two separate card validity checks, once on the application date and again at the beginning of the following month, under the Korea Financial Telecommunications and Clearings Institute’s requirements. Incheon Waterworks Authority said it resolved the issue by revising administrative guidelines in consultation with the institute, establishing the procedural foundation for same-month application.
Incheon’s English Newsletter ‘IncheonNow’ Marks 15th Anniversary
The city of Incheon has announced the publication of the November–December issue of its English-language newsletter IncheonNow (Vol. 96), marking the publication’s 15th anniversary, along with the launch of its final reader-participation event. Launched in 2010, IncheonNow is the city’s flagship English publication, delivering information on city branding, major policies, culture, and daily life to a global audience, including foreign residents, overseas Koreans, and international investors. Readers wishing to participate in the event can apply for a free subscription through Incheon Metropolitan City’s English website and submit photos or stories matching the event category by email by January 18.
Incheon to Expand Full Support for Citizen Reading Clubs
Incheon Metropolitan City has announced plans to actively support citizen-led reading activities as part of efforts to grow into a lifelong learning city. Through its public libraries, the city will implement a support program for reading clubs that includes providing discussion spaces and expanding book borrowing benefits, aiming to promote a healthy reading culture and strengthen community-based reading groups. Interested clubs can download application forms from the city’s integrated public library website and submit them either in person or by email.
Incheon Rated ‘Top Performer’ in Non-Tax Revenue Management
Incheon Metropolitan City has been selected as a top-performing local government in the Ministry of the Interior and Safety’s 2025 evaluation of non-tax revenue management. Each year, the evaluation analyzes and diagnoses 243 local governments’ management performance of non-tax revenues, recognizing those with outstanding results. Incheon was named the top-performing metropolitan city and will receive an institutional commendation.
Incheon and Districts Identify and Designate Local Heritage Assets
Incheon Metropolitan City and its district-level governments are actively discovering and designating their own local heritage assets. The initiative is expected to strengthen regional identity while contributing to tourism industry growth. Areas around Bupyeong Market and sixteen other local heritage sites have been recently selected, with the sites categorized into four fields including daily life culture, urban heritage, history, and industry.
Seo-gu District Earns 23 External Awards in 2025
Incheon’s Seo-gu has received a total of 23 awards last year, receiving recognition across various fields. The district stood out in public health, in particular, earning multiple top honors, including consecutive awards for integrated community health promotion projects, excellence in dementia care center operations, outstanding performance in national tuberculosis management, and top prizes across all categories in dementia management evaluations. In employment-related achievements, the district won an excellence award in the national local government job creation program, while also receiving the grand prize for senior employment and social participation initiatives.
Sources: https://news.ifm.kr
