Incheon’s city goods win at Asia Design Prize
Three of Incheon’s official merchandise items have been selected as winners at the 2026 Asia Design Prize. This marks the first time locally produced municipal goods have received the award, demonstrating Incheon’s design competitiveness on the global stage. A total of 1,515 entries were submitted this year, and a panel of 39 international judges evaluated works based on aesthetics, originality, practicality, and technical excellence across space, product and communication categories. The winners include the Incheon Island Light Teacup, the Dolmen Solid Air Freshener, and the Dolmen Resin Object, which were praised for incorporating the city’s identity, history, and emotional imagery into everyday design objects.
Incheon Youth Symphony Orchestra newly launched
The Incheon Youth Symphony Orchestra has been launched to systematically nurture local musical talent within the region. The orchestra officially debuted on the 19th, with 26 inaugural members selected through auditions receiving their certificates of appointment. Jung Han-gyeol, associate conductor of the Incheon Philharmonic Orchestra, has been appointed as the orchestra’s principal conductor. The Incheon Youth Symphony Orchestra will operate as an affiliated organization of the Incheon Philharmonic and will consist of young musicians under the age of 24, including middle and high school students as well as university students.
Incheon launches 3D map service on ‘iMap’ portal
A new 3D map service allowing citizens to better understand Incheon’s urban spaces and easily access various daily life information will launch March 23. The service will be available through Incheon's online map portal “iMap,” and uses drone-captured imagery to create realistic 3D images that closely replicate the city’s terrain and building exteriors. Unlike previous block-style models, the new system applies highly detailed 3D models based on real images, offering a more lifelike representation of the city. Incheon plans to expand the use of spatial data across administrative fields such as urban planning, childcare, and tourism, providing more practical, everyday-oriented map services for residents.
Incheon’s discarded electronics collection service expanded to include all items
Starting this year, Incheon Metropolitan City’s discarded electronics collection service will be expanded to include all items, including small appliances. Previously, the free service was limited to around 50 types of medium and large appliances, such as washing machines and refrigerators. However, with the implementation of the government’s mandatory recycling system for all electronic waste items, the service now covers most electrical and electronic products, but excludes industrial equipment, military supplies, and medical devices. Large appliances weighing 12 kilograms or more, such as refrigerators and washing machines, can be collected individually, while small and medium-sized items require at least five units for pickup. Collection must be requested via phone, website, or the service’s dedicated app.
Incheon to offer SVI capacity-building training for social economy enterprises
Incheon Metropolitan City is stepping up hands-on support to help social economy enterprises measure the value they create more objectively and use it to drive growth. The city announced it will hold a “2026 Social Value Index (SVI) capacity-building training” session on March 27th at 3 p.m. at the Incheon Social Economy Support Center. SVI is an official metric overseen by the Ministry of Employment and Labor and the Korea Social Enterprise Promotion Agency to objectively assess the value of social economy enterprises. The index classifies company performance into five levels, ranging from excellent to vulnerable, and will be fully reflected in government financial support programs starting this year.
Incheon to host “Youth Farmers Market” direct sales event
A “Youth Farmers Market” will be held by Incheon’s Agricultural Technology Center at its open plaza during the cherry blossom season. The event, organized by the center and hosted by Incheon’s 4-H Headquarters, will take place from April 3 to 5. It will feature direct sales of locally produced food grown by young farmers from the Incheon Young Farmers 4-H Association. Visitors can purchase fresh agricultural products such as strawberries, mushrooms, vegetables, and flowers, while also enjoying promotional booths and hands-on programs like succulent plant terrarium-making.
Sources: https://news.ifm.kr
