Korea Coast Guard Strengthens Emergency Response System Amid Middle East Tensions
The Korea Coast Guard is strengthening its emergency response system amid growing instability in the Middle East following recent U.S. and Israeli airstrikes on Iran. The agency held a situation review meeting, presided over by Acting Commissioner General Jang In-sik, to assess cooperation systems with countries adjacent to the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran has blocked. Emergency contact networks with rescue coordination centers in Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Oman have been confirmed and the agency has agreed to reinforce international cooperation to enable immediate response in case of contingencies. In addition, in cooperation with the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, the Coast Guard has begun sharing information on Korean-flagged vessel operations four times a day, maintaining a 24-hour situation management system and conducting continuous monitoring.
Mail Carriers To Check On Residents in Ganghwa and Ongjin-gun
Ganghwa-gun and Ongjin-gun have been selected for the Ministry of the Interior & Safety’s “Safety Check Service by Mail Carriers” project for 2026. The project will be carried out in cooperation with the ministry, Korea Post, and local governments, targeting 131 households in Ganghwa-gun and Ongjin-gun. Postal carriers will visit vulnerable households, including middle-aged single-person households, socially isolated youth, and grandparent-headed families, at intervals of one to four weeks to deliver daily necessities and check on their well-being. Information on potential risks identified through health and housing condition checklists will be shared with local governments and linked to customized welfare services such as counseling, monitoring, and case management.
Yeongjong-Jangbong Ferry Services Face Reduction Ahead Of New Bridge Opening
With the opening of the Sindo Peace Bridge connecting Incheon’s Yeongjong Island and Sindo in Bukdo-myeon, Ongjin-gun approaching, the possibility of reduced maritime transportation services between the two areas is being raised. According to Incheon Metropolitan City, the first phase of the West Sea Peace Road project, specifically the 1st section connecting Yeongjong Island with Sindo, is scheduled to open in May. The 3.2-kilometer section includes the 2.07-kilometer Sindo Peace Bridge. Once the bridge opens, residents of three of the four islands in Bukdo-myeon, which include Sindo, along with Jangbong Island will be able to reach the mainland by car. Approximately 60% of ferry passengers on the current Yeongjong-Jangbong route are visitors to Sindo, and ferry operators maintain that a reduction in service frequency will be inevitable as passenger numbers are expected to decline once the bridge opens.
Incheon Holds Report Meeting On Successful Maritime Court Attraction
A public briefing session has been held by Incheon Metropolitan City to mark the successful attraction of the Maritime & International Commercial Court. The event was attended by local National Assembly members, officials from the pan-citizen movement committee for attracting the court to Incheon, and representatives from the port, logistics, and legal sectors. The city expressed expectations that when the court opens in March 2028, visits by domestic and international litigants and increased demand for legal services will create high value-added jobs and revitalize the local economy.
Incheon Conducts Financial Education For Foreign Residents
Incheon Metropolitan City has held a financial education session for foreign students as part of efforts to create a foreigner-friendly environment and advance as a global city. The session was held on March 3, at the auditorium of Cheongwoon University’s Incheon campus, in cooperation with Shinhan Bank. Approximately 169,000 foreign residents currently live in Incheon. It is the fourth-largest foreign resident population among cities nationwide. According to data from the Financial Supervisory Service, while financial crimes targeting Korean nationals have decreased due to strengthened crackdowns, crimes targeting foreign residents in Korea are on the rise. In November of last year, Incheon signed a mutual cooperation agreement with financial institutions including Shinhan Bank and NH NongHyup Bank to improve living conditions for foreigners in pursuit of becoming a global top-ten city, and has been promoting financial education for foreign residents through public-private collaboration.
Sources: https://news.ifm.kr
