2026-01-14 8am voice news
Incheon Institute: ‘Incheon Should Foster Experience-Based Industries’
The Incheon Institute has proposed actively fostering the city’s experience-based industries, which have been growing faster than the national average. According to the city policy think tank’s report titled “Vision and Strategies for Activating Experience-Based Industries in Incheon,” Incheon’s experience-based industries posted an average annual growth rate of 3.22 percent in the number of businesses and 3.38 percent in employment between 2020 and 2023. These figures significantly exceed the national averages over the same period, which stood at 1.26 percent for business growth and 1.86 percent for employment growth. The institute emphasized that fostering experience-based industries should be seen not merely as boosting the service sector, but as cultivating a core growth engine that determines urban competitiveness.
Coastal Bike Path Along Yeongjong and Cheongna to Be Completed This Year
The “300-Li Bicycle Eumgil,” a cycling route running along the coastlines of Yeongjong and Cheongna, is scheduled to be completed in December this year. The 130-kilometer route begins at Seo-gu’s Jeongseojin, crosses the Third Yeongjong Bridge, passes along the coastal roads of Yeongjong and Muui Islands, and then loops back through Cheongna Lake Park and the Ara Waterway. According to the Incheon Free Economic Zone, the project includes building a new 20-kilometer bike path along the northern part of Yeongjong Island to connect with existing routes. With the Third Yeongjong Bridge linking to the cycling network, the authority expects the completion of what it calls a “West Coast circular cycling network.”
IFEZ Announces Results of Songdo Lake Naming Contest
The Incheon Free Economic Zone has announced the results of a public contest to name the lake in Songdo’s District 6 and Aam Lake. In the naming contest, “Songdo Dalbit Lake” was selected for the lake in Songdo International City’s Waterfront District 6, while “Songdo Aam Lake” was selected for Aam Lake. The chosen names will now undergo review by the Yeonsu-gu and Incheon Metropolitan City Naming Committees before final approval. For contest participants, a cash prize of one million won will be awarded to the first place winner, while 500,000 won and 300,000 won will be awarded to the 2nd place and 3rd place winners respectively.
“Loneliness Counseling Hotline” to Launch in 1H of 2026
The “Loneliness Counseling Hotline,” a 24-hour call center to support citizens experiencing loneliness will be introduced in Incheon this year. According to Incheon Metropolitan City, the hotline is modeled after Seoul’s “Loneliness Bye 120” service, and lowers barriers so anyone can seek help whenever they feel lonely. If warning signs are detected during counseling, callers will be connected to mental health services, welfare programs, and local support resources. Through its Loneliness Care Bureau, the city also plans to operate programs such as the “I-Link Company,” a virtual workplace experience that simulates commuting, task performance, and communication, as well as “Mental Well-being Stations” using former police substations.
Settlement Support for Five West Sea Island Residents to Increase by 83.4%
The monthly settlement support allowance for residents of the Five West Sea Islands will increase starting in 2026 to improve living conditions. According to Incheon Metropolitan City, residents who have lived on the islands for 10 years or more will receive 200,000 won per month, up from the current 180,000 won. The increase comes after close coordination by the eighth-term city administration with the National Assembly and relevant ministries to secure additional central government funding, marking a significant step toward strengthening actual support for residents. As of 2022, residents with more than 10 years of residence received 120,000 won per month, while those living there for at least six months but less than 10 years received 60,000 won. From this year, those amounts will increase to 200,000 won and 120,000 won per month, respectively.
