Incheon Free Economic Zone Authority recruits startups for AI pilot projects
The Incheon Free Economic Zone Authority (IFEZ) will hold an open recruitment for startups to participate in pilot projects that test and commercialize AI technologies in urban settings. Startups that have been established within the past seven years are eligible to apply, with applications accepted through the 22nd of next month. IFEZ plans to select five to seven companies and provide a total of 600 million won, or about 100 million won per company.The pilot projects will focus on enhancing urban safety, focusing on public security; transportation and mobility; and urban disaster and risk management.
IFEZ launches 2026 K-Bio Lab Hub pilot program with Incheon CCEI
The K-Bio Lab Hub pilot program for 2026 has officially launched with a partnership signing ceremony on March 31.The ceremony took place at Yonsei University’s International Campus between the Incheon Free Economic Zone Authority and the Incheon Center for Creative Economy and Innovation (CCEI). Launched last year, the pilot program enters its 2nd season this year. It will serve as a startup incubation initiative ahead of the full-scale operation of the K-Bio Lab Hub, which is scheduled for completion by the end of 2028. This year’s program will support the rapid growth of 50 participating companies, including eight firms that were selected last year.
Incheon to mandate safety railings on bridges to prevent suicide attempts
Incheon Metropolitan City plans to mandate the installation of safety railings on bridges to prevent suicide attempts. All newly constructed or fully renovated bridges will undergo risk assessments at the design stage, and high-risk bridges will be required to install safety railings.Existing bridges will be evaluated through regular monitoring, with installations carried out in phases based on priority. The city also plans to revise its ordinance on suicide prevention and the creation of a life-respecting culture in order to establish the legal basis for the mandatory installation of safety railings on not only existing bridges but also new ones and fully reconstructed bridges.
GTX-B headquarters to be built in Songdo, overseeing rail operations
Incheon Metropolitan City announced that the headquarters for the GTX-B metropolitan express rail line will be built near Incheon National University Station in Songdo International City. The headquarters will serve as a key operational facility, equipped with an integrated control center, situation room, and office spaces to oversee train operations. The facility will be constructed by a private developer, donated to the government upon completion, then outsourced for 40 years. The city has actively pursued the project since August 2024, proposing candidate sites to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport before finalizing the location through recent consultations.
Incheon to add 7 new bus routes and adjust 15 others
Incheon Metropolitan City will introduce seven new bus routes and adjust 15 existing ones following a 2026 review, with changes to be implemented sequentially starting in late April.The move reflects evolving transportation conditions, including increased demand from administrative restructuring and large-scale housing developments. New routes will undergo administrative procedures such as public tender and proposal evaluations starting in April, with operations expected to begin around September. The changes are expected to improve mobility convenience for citizens, reduce regional transportation gaps, and achieve a balanced expansion of public transportation services throughout the city.
Incheon to subsidize employment insurance premiums for solo business owners
Incheon Metropolitan City will launch a subsidy program for employment insurance premiums. The program is for one-person business owners and aims to ease their financial burdens and strengthen the social safety net. Applications will open on April 1, with support applied retroactively from premiums paid starting January 2026. Participants will receive 50–80% of their premiums based on the standard rating set by the Small Enterprise and Market Service, with the city providing an additional 10% subsidy for up to three years. The program is expected to significantly reduce the actual insurance burden of small business owners and encourage broader participation in the social safety system.
Sources: https://news.ifm.kr
