Third Bridge to Incheon International Airport Opens Today
The third bridge linking Incheon International Airport with the mainland officially opens today at 2 p.m. Tolls have been set at 2,000 won one way for passenger vehicles and will be collected automatically through a contactless smart tolling system. Toll exemptions will initially apply to residents of Yeongjong and Cheongna International Cities, as well as Bukdo-myeon in Ongjin-gun. Starting in April, free passage will be expanded to all Incheon residents.
New Incheon Free Economic Zone Commissioner Virtually Confirmed
The appointment of a new commissioner of the Incheon Free Economic Zone Authority has effectively been finalized. Incheon Metropolitan City announced that only one of two applicants passed the formal qualification screening for the open Grade 1 position. If the candidate passes the upcoming suitability review, the city’s selection committee will notify the personnel committee on the 9th, which will then determine the priority order and recommend the nominee to the mayor. The final result will be announced on the city’s website on the 14th.
Michuhol District and Lotte Department Store Partner on Senior Cultural Center
Incheon’s Michuhol District has announced that it will move forward with the construction of the Juan Senior Cultural Center under an agreement recently signed with Lotte Department Store. The center will be built in Juan-dong, featuring one basement level and three above-ground floors, with the total floor area nearing 3,200 square meters. Officials said the project is expected to mark a turning point in improving aging and overcrowded senior welfare facilities in the Dohwa–Juan area.
Bupyeong Youth Center to Offer January Programs for Teens
The Bupyeong Youth Center in Incheon has announced that it will operate a variety of creative convergence education programs for local teens throughout January. At the Creative Workshop Plaza, specialized programs will be offered in four fields: crafts, woodworking, ceramics, and mechanical fabrication. Programs offered include upcycled sock crafts, custom drawer bookshelf making, ceramic guardian fish creation, and 3D pen time capsule making workshops. Meanwhile, the Video Media Center will host a Winter Vacation Arcade from January 20 to 31, allowing youths to visit freely with their friends and enjoy activities during the school break.
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.
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.
Sources: https://news.ifm.kr
