Incheon Inspects 81 Barefoot Walking Trails in Parks for Soil Safety
Incheon Metropolitan City has released the results of a soil safety survey conducted on barefoot walking trails in city parks.
The survey was carried out in response to the growing popularity of barefoot walking and aimed to proactively verify the safety of soil that comes into direct contact with users.
Officials analyzed soil samples from 81 trails for eight heavy metals, including copper and lead, using the strictest national soil contamination standards, while also testing for parasite contamination.
The results showed that 80 of the 81 barefoot walking trails met the soil safety standards.
Incheon Delivers Heatwave and Disease Prevention Kits to Vulnerable Residents
The Incheon Metropolitan Government announced that it is strengthening on-site measures to help vulnerable residents stay safe during the summer heat.
City officials visited a jjokbang or small room village and a counseling center for residents living in tiny rented rooms in Dong-gu to assess living conditions and encourage frontline workers.
Heatwave response kits were distributed through the local counseling center to residents most at risk, and city officials also expressed their appreciation to staff members working in the field.
Incheon Nat’l University Department Assistants Call for Greater Job Security
Incheon National University’s labor union has called for improved working conditions for department assistants, arguing that the position remains a "blind spot" in terms of job security.
According to the Incheon chapter of the Korean University Workers’ Union, 96 department assistants currently provide administrative support in areas including education, research, and academic affairs.
In 2018, the university and the union agreed to guarantee retirement at age 60, apply a standardized wage system, and establish reasonable employment policies for teaching assistants with less than two years of service.
However, because those agreements applied only to employees who were already working at the time and were never institutionalized, the union argues that the fundamental job insecurity faced by teaching assistants has not been resolved.
Part of Road Expansion Between Geomdan and Andongpo to Open July 1
A new road expansion project between the Geomdan Industrial Complex and Andongpo Intersection in Seo-gu will open to traffic on July 1.
Incheon Metropolitan City's Infrastructure Construction Headquarters has announced that the newly completed 1.8-kilometer section is part of broader transportation improvement measures for the Geomdan area.
It will widen a 2.9-kilometer roadway from four lanes to eight at a total cost of 68.2 billion won. With construction having continued since April 2020, the city decided to open the completed section early to reduce inconvenience for residents and improve freight transportation for nearby industrial complexes.
The newly opened sections include Geomdan Industrial Complex Intersection to Andongpo Village and Geomdan 2 Intersection to Andongpo Intersection, both of which have been expanded from four lanes to eight.
Incheon Expands Support for IoT Air Emissions Monitoring Devices
Incheon Metropolitan City has announced the second round of applications for its subsidy program supporting the installation of Internet of Things (IoT) air emissions monitoring devices.
The program is designed to ease the financial burden on small and medium-sized businesses while helping them comply with strengthened environmental regulations.
It targets small-scale air pollutant-emitting facilities classified as Categories 4 and 5, where IoT monitoring devices have become mandatory under revised air quality regulations.
The city will cover 60 percent of installation costs within the allocated budget of 2.29 billion won to help eligible businesses meet the legal requirements.
16th Lotte Open to Tee Off at Bear's Best Cheongna Golf Club
The 16th Lotte Open will be held at Bear's Best Cheongna Golf Club from July 2 to 5.
According to Incheon Metropolitan City, top domestic and international golfers, including LPGA Tour player Kim Hyo-joo and defending champion Park Hye-jun, will compete for a total prize purse of 1.2 billion won, including a winner's prize of 216 million won during the competition.
One of the premier events on the Korea Ladies Professional Golf Association Tour, this year's tournament will feature 132 players competing at the Incheon course.
Sources: https://news.ifm.kr
