- The city that brings the yearning for revisits: Incheon takes a global leap forward as a city welcoming overseas Koreans -

- “Incheon, Open the World, Link the People” -

On Oct. 18, Incheon Metropolitan City announced that a proclamation ceremony was held at Gyeongwonjae Ambassador Hotel, Songdo, to declare the “2025–2026: Year of Overseas Koreans’ Exchange and Visit” initiative (hereinafter “Year of Exchange and Visit).

With the vision of becoming a “city that brings the yearning for revisits,” the ceremony aimed to present a blueprint for expanding exchanges and engagement with the seven million overseas Koreans worldwide.

More than 150 participants attended the event, including Incheon Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok, Kim Dae-jung, Chair of the Incheon City Council’s Construction and Transportation Committee, overseas Korean entrepreneurs and institution officials, such as Kim Deok-ryong, Chairman of the World Federation of Korean Association of Commerce, and representatives from Korea Tourism Organization, Incheon Tourism Organization, and Incheon MICE Alliance member companies.

The ceremony featured various programs, such as a congratulatory video from Yoo In-chon, the Minister of Culture, Sports, and Tourism, a celebratory performance by the “Show Design Group” in hopes of a successful event, and a screening of a video specially crafted for the event.

The “Year of Exchange and Visit” initiative will run from 2025 to 2026, aiming to encourage overseas Koreans to visit Incheon and foster networks among them. The slogan “Incheon, Open the World, Link the People” was selected through a public contest in August.

From next year, Incheon will implement various projects to further facilitate overseas Koreans’ visits, including specialized programs, an “Overseas Korean Visitors Week,” a welcome booth, and a welcome concert.

The ceremony highlight was the signing of an MOU between Incheon Metropolitan City, the Incheon MICE Alliance, and three international and foreign schools: Chadwick International Songdo, Cheongna Dalton School, and Calvin Manitoba International School. This agreement aims to offer overseas Koreans diverse tourism benefits and educational services to overseas Koreans.

Incheon Metropolitan City, together with the MICE Alliance, pledged its full effort to ensure the success of the “Year of Exchange and Visit,” while the three schools committed to sustainable educational cooperation to help the next generation of overseas Koreans strengthen their identity and build global networks.

Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok expressed his gratitude, stating, “Many people contributed to the establishment of the Overseas Koreans Office and the proclamation of the ‘Year Exchange and Visit’ initiative. We hope this proclamation ceremony will be the opportunity to spread the initiative’s momentum and encourage more overseas Koreans to visit Incheon.”

He added, “I urge overseas Koreans worldwide to demonstrate their leadership and talent, joining us in making the ‘Year of Exchange and Visit’ a success.”

<On Oct. 18, Incheon Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok delivered a congratulatory speech at the proclamation ceremony for “2025–2026: Year of Overseas Koreans’ Exchange and Visit.”>

<On Oct. 18, Incheon Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok proclaimed the “2025–2026: Year of Overseas Koreans’ Exchange and Visit” with guests.>

<On Oct. 18, a celebratory performance played out at the proclamation ceremony for the “2025–2026: Year of Overseas Koreans’ Exchange and Visit” at Gyeongwonjae Ambassador Incheon.>