Cruise Calls to Incheon Port to Double This Year
The number of cruise ships calling at Incheon is set to rise sharply this year. The Incheon Port Authority says that as of January, 64 cruise calls are scheduled for Incheon Port this year. The figure is double last year’s 32 calls, which brought in 79,455 passengers. The number of cruise lines calling Incheon Port its home has also increased, from last year’s three to eight this year. As inquiries from cruise operators continue, the port authority plans to improve passenger transportation at the Incheon Cruise Terminal and hold welcome and farewell events.
Seunggi Wastewater Treatment Plant to Go Underground
Incheon Metropolitan City has held a groundbreaking ceremony for the Seunggi Wastewater Treatment Plant’s modernization project. With a total budget of 426.5 billion won, the city plans to build a new underground facility capable of treating 270,000 tons of wastewater per day at the plant, located in Dongchun-dong, Yeonsu-gu, while creating a public park on the surface. Once the project is completed, the city expects the eco-friendly sewage treatment system to resolve odor complaints in nearby areas.
Yeongjong Residents Seek Public Audit on Excessive Bridge Tolls
Civic groups in the Yeongjong area say they will request a public-interest audit from the Board of Audit and Inspection over the toll system for the Incheon and Yeongjong bridges. The Yeongjong International City Federation claim that the toll policy raises serious public-interest concerns, stating that the bridges no longer function as public roads and that construction cost recovery lacks transparency, with financial burdens passed on to citizens through loss compensation agreements. The Federation also argued that the Third Land Bridge, which is only free for Incheon residents, fails to resolve what they describe as structural discrimination and unfairness endured by Yeongjong residents over the past 20 years.
Incheon’s Multi-Unit Building Support Team Take Lead in Resolving Disputes
Incheon Metropolitan City’s multi-unit building management support team has been taking the lead in providing consultation and support for related complaints. The city announced that the team has processed a total of 140 complaints since opening in July 2023. Due to their structural characteristics, multi-unit buildings often see conflicts over parking use, disclosure of management fees, appointment of managers, and defect repairs, driving continued demand for professional legal and administrative support. The city says the team’s work has gone beyond simple consultations, leading to actual dispute resolutions and high levels of satisfaction among residents.
Incheon & iH Join Forces to Revitalize Open Port Area
Incheon Metropolitan City and the Incheon Housing & City Development Corporation, known as iH, are joining forces to revitalize the Incheon Open Port area. The area holds historic significance as Western culture entered through the port as it opened in 1883. The two sides have signed a business agreement on the utilization of modern architectural heritage in the area. Under the agreement, “I-eum 1977” and “I-eum 1978,” both modern architectural assets developed through cultural regeneration, will be jointly operated as cultural content hubs.
Study: Beach Walking Harms Protected Sand Crab Species
A study by Inha University has found that uncontrolled beach walking can negatively affect the ecology of a protected sand crab species. The sand crab, known as dalrang-ge, is designated as a protected marine species by the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, and inhabits burrows along Korea’s sandy beaches. Researchers have confirmed that when people walk over the crabs’ burrows, it takes longer for them to emerge and their surface activity time decreases. The team warned that such behavioral changes may reduce the time available for the crabs’ essential activities such as feeding and mating.
Sources: https://news.ifm.kr
