Concerns Grow Over Abandoned Public Buildings Across Ganghwa Island
Aging public facilities across Ganghwa Island are being left vacant or abandoned, raising concerns about neighborhood decline. According to Ganghwa-gun, two public buildings are currently classified as unused, with five more expected to become idle in the near future. The former Ganghwa Library building, constructed in 1994, has remained unused for over three years since the National Research Institute of Cultural Heritage vacated the site in October 2022. The county plans to commission a study to develop utilization strategies and prevent long-term neglect of public idle spaces.
Inha University Selected For National Robot Program
Inha University has been selected for the Ministry of Education’s 2026 Advanced Industry Specialized University Support Program in the robotics sector. The four-year project, beginning next month, aims to cultivate core robotics talent, with Inha University securing approximately 11.6 billion won in government funding. The program will train about 240 specialists in mobile robotics for hyper-connected logistics systems that integrate IoT, AI, big data, cloud technology, and robotics in real time. Inha University will establish a new AI Robotics Convergence major and offer tracks in Physical AI robot design and smart logistics robot operations.
Jung-gu Opens Call For 10th Community Care Center Site
Incheon’s Jung-gu has announced an open call for apartment complexes interested in hosting the district’s 10th Community Care Center. Community Care Centers address gaps in elementary school childcare, and provide care, play, and learning-linked programs outside regular school hours, regardless of household income. Jung-gu is focusing on expanding childcare infrastructure to meet rising demand in Yeongjong International City. Eligible applicants include apartment complexes with at least 500 households that can provide a vacant space between 66㎡ and 132㎡ free of charge.
2026 Incheon Furniture Expo to Open at Songdo Convensia
The 2026 Incheon Furniture Expo will be held from February 27 to March 2 at Songdo Convensia. Now in its 8th year, the expo is sponsored by Incheon Metropolitan City and hosted by the Incheon Furniture Development Council. It has grown into Incheon’s representative furniture exhibition since its launch in 2021, aiming to revitalize the local furniture industry and expand market access. Local companies across design, manufacturing, distribution, and retail will showcase high-quality products at competitive prices. Exhibits include beds, sofas, tables, chairs, curtains, bedding, mattresses, and kitchen appliances reflecting the latest trends.
Incheon To Subsidize Uniform Costs For Students Attending Schools Outside The City
Incheon Metropolitan City will provide up to 310,000 won per student in school uniform subsidies. The subsidies will apply even for students entering middle or high schools in other provinces. Since 2019, Incheon has been the first city nationwide to implement a free school uniform program for local middle and high schools in partnership with the Incheon Metropolitan City Office of Education. Since 2023, the city has expanded support to students residing in Incheon who enroll in schools outside the city, fully funded by the municipal budget. Eligible students are first-year middle or high school students registered as Incheon residents as of the enrollment date who are attending schools or registered alternative education institutions in other regions.
IFEZ Launches ‘Early Morning Classic’ Concert at Arts Center Incheon
Arts Center Incheon will present the first performance of its new matinee concert series, “Early Morning Classic,” on March 12 at 11 a.m. The program is in cooperation with the Incheon Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra, and pairs rare concerto arrangements with popular orchestral masterpieces. The opening performance features Niccolò Paganini’s Viola Concerto, performed by violist Sangjin Kim. The series expands the traditional matinee format by strategically combining concerto repertoire with large-scale orchestral works.
Sources: https://news.ifm.kr
