2026-01-15 10am voice news
Restrictions Lifted for Protected Zones in Border Areas
Restrictions have been lifted for protected zones covering around 630,000 square meters in the border areas. The areas in Yeoncheon-gun, Gyeonggi-do and Cheorwon-gun, Gangwon-do equal around four and a half times the size of Yeouido in Seoul. Meanwhile, construction will be allowed without prior consultation with the military even if the land is designated as a protected zone in Incheon’s Ganghwa-gun, Paju in Gyeonggi-do and Gangwon-do’s Yanggu-gun. The Ministry of National Defense announced the decision as it finalized its Fourth Master Plan for Management of Protected Areas for 2025 to 2029. The ministry said it will improve and systematically manage regulations on protected areas while firmly maintaining national security and improving the lives of citizens.
Incheon Arts Center Announces Performance Plans for This Year
The Incheon Culture & Arts Center has announced its performance schedule for this year. The center, which completed renovations last year, will begin full-scale operations in 2026. With improvements to performance facilities raising its spatial competitiveness, the center says it will strengthen its own branded productions, invite outstanding domestic and international works, and operate outdoor programs that connect citizens with everyday life, signaling the start of a “performance renaissance.” In addition, the Incheon Metropolitan City Arts Troupe will work together with the center to create a city where culture and art are part of everyday life.
Jung-gu to Offer Incentives to Foster MICE Industry
Incheon’s Jung-gu says it will operate a MICE event attraction and hosting incentive program starting this year to systematically foster the industry as a future growth engine for the district. The program aims to attract large-scale international conferences and exhibitions to the area, creating added value while promoting global business, cultural exchange, and local economic growth. Eligible recipients are organizations or businesses that host or attract international or domestic conferences or corporate incentive tours of a certain scale within Jung-gu. Incentives will be calculated based on the number of participants and nights of stay, running up to four million won per event.
Incheon OED & Distributes 376 Play-Based Education Videos
The Incheon Metropolitan City Office of Education has developed and distributed 376 play-based education video materials for use in schools. The videos were produced to promote the practical spread of “play-centered character education” and are designed around activities that naturally teach cooperation, consideration, respect, and communication in integrated subjects for grades one and two under the revised 2022 national curriculum. The materials include a wide range of play types suitable for both small groups and entire classes, and are designed so teachers can use them immediately without additional editing in integrated subjects, creative activities, and playtime.
Incheon Trauma Center Records Lowest Trauma Death Rate
Incheon has recorded the lowest preventable trauma death rate in the nation. The Incheon Regional Trauma Center operated by Gachon University Gil Medical Center has helped reduce Incheon’s preventable trauma death rate to 5.8 percent, the lowest in the nation. The feat is credited to the severe trauma patient transport system, including doctor cars, built in cooperation with Incheon Metropolitan City. According to a Ministry of Health and Welfare report, the national average preventable trauma death rate in 2023 was 9.1 percent, while Incheon recorded 5.8 percent, the lowest since the survey began and the lowest nationwide. The trauma center operates with dedicated trauma specialists and facilities and runs a patient transport and treatment network using doctor helicopters and doctor cars.
Incheon Skills Competition Recruiting New Participants
The Incheon Skills Competition Committee is recruiting participants for the 2026 Incheon Skills Competition to be held in April. Applications are open until the 23rd and can be submitted online through the MeisterNet website. The competition will run for five days, from April 6 to April 10, and is open to anyone without restrictions on education or career, as long as they belong to an organization in Incheon or have lived in Incheon for at least six months.
