Incheon to provide support for diesel vehicle emissions reduction
Incheon Metropolitan City will begin full-scale implementation of its “Diesel Vehicle Emission Reduction Support Program” starting March 3. The project, which aims to improve regional air quality, consists of two components: providing support for diesel particulate filters (DPF) installation on Grade 5 diesel vehicles, and for electrification retrofits of 1-ton trucks. Eligible vehicles include Grade 5 diesel vehicles subject to emission standards applied before December 31, 2005. Vehicle owners are required to pay only 10 percent of the cost, and the program will conclude at the end of this year.
Incheon to provide job-seeking allowances for unemployed youth
Incheon Metropolitan City will recruit 600 participants for its “Dream Debit Card Project,” which provides job-seeking allowances to unemployed youth. Applicants must be unemployed Incheon residents aged 18 to 39 whose household income falls between 50 and 150% of the median income. Selected participants may receive up to 500,000 won per month, for a maximum of 3 million won. Those who secure employment or successfully start a business while participating will receive an additional congratulatory grant of 500,000 won.
Incheon signs agreement with Therme Group for European-style spa complex in Songdo
The Incheon Free Economic Zone Authority has signed a business cooperation agreement with Therme Group for the “Therme Incheon Project.” Under the agreement, Therme Group Korea plans to invest 850 billion won to develop a world-class integrated wellness resort, including a European-style glass dome spa, on Blocks Cs8 and Cs9 in Songdo’s District 9, within Golden Harbor at Incheon Port. Therme will finalize the selection of financial and construction investors, proceed with licensing and design modification procedures and begin construction next year. The company aims to complete and open the facility in 2031.
Incheon to recruit companies for incheon-type preliminary social enterprise designation
Incheon Metropolitan City will recruit participating companies to be designated as Incheon-type Preliminary Social Enterprises through a public competition. The recruitment is for the first half of this year and will run through March 20. Eligible applicants are companies located in Incheon that meet the organizational requirements under Article 8 of the Social Enterprise Promotion Act and conduct business activities primarily aimed at realizing social value. Applications may be submitted online through the Korea Social Enterprise Promotion Agency’s Integrated Business Management System. Selected companies will receive various benefits, including opportunities to participate in direct financial support programs such as job creation subsidies.
Korea Coast Guard conducts preemptive drug testing, all test results negative
The Korea Coast Guard has conducted preemptive drug testing, with all results returning negative. The Coast Guard announced that 247 officers, including senior officials at the superintendent level and above, as well as officers in charge of drug enforcement, audit, and inspection duties, took the drug test. The tests were conducted on Feb. 25 to 25, at Coast Guard offices nationwide, under the supervision of audit and inspection officers, using saliva testing methods. The Coast Guard explained that the measure was a proactive step to strengthen fairness in law enforcement by applying high standards internally, raising awareness among officers who combat maritime drug crimes, and fundamentally blocking any potential involvement with narcotics.
Incheon strengthens R&D support for small and medium enterprises
Incheon Metropolitan City will implement a shared research equipment utilization support project to ease the financial burden of research and development for local small and medium-sized enterprises. Through cooperation with Incheon Technopark, the Korea Polar Research Institute, and the Korea Institute of Industrial Technology, the project will enable SMEs to use expensive research equipment at a lower cost. The city plans to establish a cooperative framework with institutions that own research equipment to increase the utilization rate of public research facilities and subsidize part of the equipment usage fees borne by companies.
Sources: https://news.ifm.kr
