- Response measures on CBAM and U.S. tariff policy shared, with a special lecture by Katrina Chang, Special Advisor for International Trade Policy -Incheon Metropolitan City (Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok) held a briefing for local companies on response strategies for the United States and European Union (EU) trade barriers.In cooperation with the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, Incheon held a briefing on March 11 at the Incheon Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s main auditorium to share strategies with local small and medium-sized enterprises amid changes in the global trade environment and rising trade barriers in the U.S. and EU.The briefing was arranged in response to changes in U.S. trade policy following the launch of the second Trump administration and the full implementation of the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM).With recent U.S. tariffs and tighter EU carbon regulations expected to increase the burden on businesses, the briefing focused on providing practical information that can help local small and medium-sized companies effectively respond to changes in the trade environment.The briefing covered response measures for the EU’s CBAM and strategies for responding to changes in U.S. tariff policy. The EU’s CBAM mandates companies exporting six product categories (including steel and aluminum) to the EU to report carbon emissions and purchase CBAM certificates. Business costs are expected to rise as a result.The final session of the day featured a special lecture by Katrina Chang, Special Advisor for International Trade Policy for Incheon and Senior Advisor at Kim and Chang.Katrina Chang is a U.S. tariff expert with about 27 years of experience at U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), where she worked on Free Trade Agreement (FTA) enforcement, anti-dumping and countervailing duties, and trade regulation, while also taking part in negotiations led by the Office of the United States Trade Representative.The lecture covered changes in ta

- Open innovation model built on cooperation between bio cluster and Celltrion promoted -Incheon Metropolitan City (Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok), Incheon Technopark (Incheon TP), and Celltrion will take part in “BIO CHINA 2026” at the Suzhou International Expo Center in China from March 12 to 14, showcasing Incheon’s bio industry and its open innovation partnership model.BIO CHINA 2026 is a major international event in the pharmaceutical and bio sectors, bringing together more than 30,000 participants from over 40 countries and hosting more than 5,000 one-on-one business meetings.This participation was part of Incheon’s new Open Innovation Challenge program, launched this year with leading companies. Under the project, Incheon will identify innovative startups in Korea and abroad in line with Celltrion’s technology needs, then support joint research, Proof of Concept (PoC), and global expansion.During the event, Incheon, Incheon TP, and Celltrion jointly promoted the infrastructure of Incheon’s specialized bio cluster and the Open Innovation Challenge program. They also held technology exchanges, investment consultations, and business partnership meetings with about 400 participants from across Asia, including booth exhibition participants, promising bio companies, and investment institutions (AC, VC firms, etc.).At the international forum’s China-Korea Session on the opening day, Incheon and Celltrion introduced the joint open innovation partnership model, along with Incheon Bio Cluster, highlighting the potential for global cooperation.They also visited Biobay in Suzhou Industrial Park (one of China’s three largest bio clusters), where they met with local company representatives and laid the groundwork for identifying future partners.Cho So-young, Director of the Semiconductor and Bio Division, stated, “This event marks an important first step as Incheon moves beyond serving simply as a biopharmaceutical production base and works toward becoming one of A

- GiEver to receive KRW 1 billion in investment and recommendation for the Scale-up TIPS RD program -Incheon Metropolitan City (Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok) and Incheon Technopark (Incheon TP) held a signing ceremony on March 11 at GiEver for an investment MOU for “Incheon Growth Fund No. 4,” attended by representatives of the investment firm and the investee company.The MOU was made through the Synergia Incheon RD Investment Project, a mandatory investment project launched last year for promising companies in Incheon. The project serves as a strategic investment support program under Incheon Growth Fund No.4. Finalist companies receive a KRW 1 billion investment, along with support linked to a recommendation for the Ministry of SMEs and Startups’ Scale-up TIPS RD Program*. * Scale-up TIPS: a program that identifies and supports growth of promising small and medium venture companiesThe “Synergia Incheon Project” is an investment program for small and venture companies based in Incheon that specialize in artificial intelligence and digital innovation technologies. This is Incheon’s unique program that provides tailored investment guidance to help businesses grow, including reviews of IR materials for companies seeking investment, support with investment evaluation, consulting on securing RD funding, and coaching from venture capital firms.Through the project, the advanced materials company GiEver was selected for final investment and will receive KRW 1 billion, along with a recommendation for the Scale-up TIPS program.Based in Seo-gu, Incheon, GiEver develops graphene materials and related products using its core proprietary technology for manufacturing graphene (advanced nanomaterial). In particular, GiEver has been recognized for strong market competitiveness in both price and environmental sustainability, supported by a stable, uniform graphene production technology and an innovative manufacturing process.Graphene, a 2D material composed of carbon atoms, offer

- KRW 100 million to support about 150 vulnerable residents in the island areas of Ganghwa and Ongjin with tailored services -Incheon Metropolitan City (Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok) announced that it has been selected for the Ministry of Health and Welfare’s (MOH) 2026 Underserved Social Services Project and will begin the Integrated and Cultural Services Support Project in April for residents in island areas, including Ganghwa and Ongjin.Using KRW 100 million in project funding, including national funds secured through the program, Incheon will provide tailored services to about 150 vulnerable residents, mainly in Gyodong-myeon, Ganghwa County, and Deokjeok-myeon, Ongjin County.The project is also expected to present an integrated support model built as a package connecting care and cultural services in line with the “Act on Integrated Support for Community Care Including Medical and Nursing Services,” which takes effect on March 27.Eligible recipients include residents in underserved areas who need support in daily life, such as discharged patients, people with chronic illnesses, the elderly, and people with limited mobility. Households with income at or below 100% of the median income will be given priority. The project will be carried out through cooperation by Incheon Metropolitan City, counties, and districts, and the Incheon Metropolitan City Public Agency for Social Service.The project will provide support services such as daily care for discharged patients, nutritional support, and safety support based on AI, along with cultural services such as visiting performances and participatory programs.Support services include help with meals, hygiene, and household tasks for discharged patients; nutritional meals for the elderly during climate-vulnerable periods such as heat waves and cold waves; and AI-based safety support services.In particular, the AI-based safety support service uses a mobile device-based system. When no movement is detected for more than 48 hour

- Preliminary feasibility investigation passed, set to dramatically improve commutes to Seoul -The anticipated Seoul Subway Line 5 extension project to Gimpo and Geomdan, a long-standing goal for residents in the northwestern part of the Seoul Metropolitan Area, is finally moving ahead in earnest.Incheon Metropolitan City (Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok) announced on March 10 that the Seoul Subway Line 5 extension to Gimpo and Geomdan had passed the preliminary feasibility investigation after review by the third Fiscal Project Evaluation Committee, fulfilling one of the eighth municipal administration’s campaign pledges.The project will create a new 25.8 km line from Banghwa (Seoul) through Geomdan (Incheon) to Gimpo, with a total project budget of KRW 3.5587 trillion. To help secure approval in the preliminary feasibility investigation, Incheon has maintained close cooperation with Gimpo City and the Metropolitan Transport Commission while continuing strategic collaboration and network building.Last year, the two local governments thoroughly revised the policy analysis data and refined the measures to improve economic feasibility, thereby reinforcing the plausibility for the project. More recently, they appeared before a subcommittee of the Fiscal Project Evaluation Committee, delivered a video message from Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok, and then strongly argued for the project, emphasizing its urgency and justification.Following the wide-ranging efforts and a full review of policy considerations, the project was recognized as justified on the grounds that it would ease traffic congestion in the northwestern part of the Seoul Metropolitan Area and improve public safety, ultimately clearing the preliminary feasibility investigation.Incheon emphasized that the passage of the preliminary feasibility study will mark a turning point in accelerating transportation transformation in the northwest. Once the Seoul Subway Line 5 extension to Gimpo and Geomdan is completed, chronic congestion i

- City, counties, and districts join efforts to crack down on false transaction reports, collusion, and up-and-down contracts -Incheon Metropolitan City (Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok) announced that it held a joint policy meeting of city, counties, and districts on March 10 to address disruptive real estate practices in 2026.Recent gains in home prices and rising transaction volume in parts of Seoul and Gyeonggi have raised concerns about market instability across the Seoul Metropolitan Area. Incheon’s housing price growth in February stood at 0.09%, lower than Gyeonggi’s 0.54%. Even so, prices have continued to rise for 4 straight months, prompting a preemptive response to potential market overheating.The meeting was held to devise measures to prevent the spread of the upward trend in home prices seen in Seoul and Gyeonggi into Incheon. Another goal was to keep the local real estate market from following the same pattern, helping maintain stability.Officials at the meeting took a broad look at the government’s real estate policy direction, response trends in other local governments, and market conditions in Incheon. They also discussed response measures for disruptive real estate practices in 2026 with officials from counties and districts in Incheon.Main measures included regular response meetings on illegal real estate practices, tighter monitoring and more detailed investigations of suspicious real estate transaction reports, coordinated investigations with related agencies when illegal collusion is reported or detected, enhanced training for licensed real estate agents on maintaining orderly transaction practices, and wider public awareness of the Center for Reporting Disturbance of Real Estate Transaction Order.When signs of abnormal transactions are detected, including falsely reported sale prices (price inflation), housing price collusion, and up-and-down contracts, Incheon plans to conduct focused inspections in the relevant areas in cooperation with counties,

- Cruise Industry Development Committee to Meet on Mar. 10 to Review The 2nd Incheon 5-Year Cruise Industry Development Plan -Incheon Metropolitan City (Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok) announced that it held a meeting of the Cruise Industry Development Committee on March 10 in the Nanum Meeting Room at City Hall. During the meeting, academics, representatives from relevant organizations, and industry experts provided policy advice on the “2nd Incheon 5-Year Cruise Industry Development Plan (2026–2030)” and the “2026 Revitalization Plan for Incheon Cruise Industry.”The meeting was held to explore mid-term to long-term strategies to help Incheon grow into a cruise hub of Northeast Asia, as cruise calls at Incheon Port continue to sharply rise amid recent changes in the global political climate and the recovery of cruise operations.The committee’s discussion focused on the main directions of the 5-year plan, which outlines the future course of Incheon’s cruise industry over the next 5 years. Expert advice also covered major tasks, including strategic marketing to attract cruise lines, developing unique tourism content, improving accommodation for cruise visitors, and creating a cruise industry ecosystem.A total of 133 cruise calls, bringing about 200,000 passengers, are scheduled to arrive in Incheon this year. This marks over a fourfold increase from last year’s 32 calls. The meeting also focused on ways to improve tourism infrastructure and visitor convenience so the growing number of cruise tourists can be accommodated more effectively.Incheon plans to work with the Incheon Tourism Organization to strengthen tourist information services for cruise visitors. The city also plans to expand its free shuttle bus services connecting the cruise terminal with major destinations, such as Sangsang Platform and Songdo, in cooperation with relevant agencies, including the Incheon Port Authority and the Korea Tourism Organization.A rise in homeport* and overnight** cruise c

- Around 2,000 youth participants from 200 countries expected to compete in October -Incheon Metropolitan City (Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok) and the Incheon Tourism Organization (President Yoo Ji-sang) announced that the FIRST Global Challenge 2026, the world’s largest international robotics competition for teenagers, will be held in Incheon this October.The FIRST Global Challenge is an international robotics competition organized by FIRST Global, a U.S.-based non-profit organization. It is the largest robotics education event in the world, bringing together approximately 2,000 young participants from around 200 countries, along with about 3,000 family members and related personnel. Participants compete by designing and building robots and completing mission-based challenges, demonstrating international collaboration and creative problem-solving skills.On January 19, Incheon Metropolitan City signed an MOU at City Hall with FIRST Global and the Incheon Tourism Organization to ensure the successful hosting of the 2026 FIRST Global Challenge. Under the agreement, Incheon will provide administrative and financial support as well as international promotion, while the FIRST Global Foundation will officially designate Incheon as the host city and cooperate with the city throughout all stages of the competition.The official announcement of Incheon as the next host city was made on March 4 (local time) during the “2026 FIRST Global Leadership Reception,” held at Meridian House in Washington, D.C. The event welcomed ambassadors to the United States from about 200 countries, members of the diplomatic corps, and representatives from global companies. At the reception, the head of Incheon’s Tourism and MICE Division delivered congratulatory remarks, stating, “We are delighted to welcome young people from around the world to Incheon, an innovative city where future technologies and tourism converge. We will strive to ensure the successful hosting of the competition.”The succ

- 310-meter treetop trail offering panoramic views of the city and surrounding nature -Incheon Metropolitan City (Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok) announced that the skywalk being built at Subong Neighborhood Park will be completed and fully opened to the public in mid-March.The project features a structure 1.8 meters in width and 310 meters in total length and is one of the key pledges under the mayor’s 10 major policy initiatives of the 8th municipal administration. The total project cost is KRW 5.5 billion. The city government expects the skywalk project to fulfill its commitment to citizens while enhancing the value of Subong Park, an iconic green space located in one of Incheon’s original historic downtown districts.The skywalk was initially planned as a tower-type observation deck, but after reflecting public feedback and in an effort to minimize landscape disruption, the plan was revised to a treetop trail design that makes the most of the natural terrain and allows visitors to view the city from the upper area of the park. Construction is currently in its final stages and is progressing smoothly.Depending on the terrain, the structure can reach heights of up to 20 meters, allowing visitors to feel as if they are walking in the air. Offering 360-degree panoramic views of both natural scenery and Incheon’s urban landscape, the facility is expected to become a popular relaxation spot within the city. Together with existing attractions, such as nighttime landscape lighting and an artificial waterfall, the skywalk is expected to develop into a local landmark that offers scenic experiences.Yoo Gwang-jo, Director of Incheon’s Urban Balance Bureau, stated, “The Subong Park Skywalk is more than just a new facility. It is a space created so that citizens can enjoy nature more closely in their daily lives. We hope it will become a new destination for relaxation and panoramic views at this symbolic location that preserves Incheon’s modern and contemporary history.”

- Financial crime prevention training conducted with Shinhan Bank and NongHyup Bank to prevent illegal currency exchange and voice phishing -Incheon Metropolitan City (Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok) announced that it held a financial education program for international students on March 3 at the auditorium of the Chungwoon University’s Incheon Campus in cooperation with Shinhan Bank. The aim of the program was to foster a more foreigner-friendly environment, helping Incheon move closer to becoming a top global city.Currently, around 169,000 foreign residents live in Incheon, ranking fourth* nationwide in terms of foreign resident population.*Number of foreign residents (as of November 2024): Gyeonggi-do: 845,074, Seoul: 450,888, Chuncheongnam-do: 169,245, Incheon: 169,219)According to data from the Financial Supervisory Service, financial crimes targeting Korean nationals have declined due to stronger enforcement, while those targeting foreign residents in Korea have increased.The number of international student accounts reported in fraud cases rose from 141 in 2020 to 515 in 2021 and 1,267 in 2022.In particular, damage from illegal currency exchange transactions targeting foreign residents continues to occur. When foreigners transfer money to illegal currency brokers, the account may later receive funds related to voice phishing scams. In such cases, the account holder may face restrictions on financial transactions for up to three years, and a criminal record related to such activity could negatively affect visa extensions.To address these issues, Incheon signed a “Mutual Cooperation Agreement for Improving Living Conditions to Build a Global Top 10 City” with financial institutions—including Shinhan Bank and NongHyup Bank—last November and has been promoting financial education for foreign residents through public–private cooperation.The training program covered basic financial information, introducing ways to open a bank account, using debit cards and ATMs, ut