- AI travel assistant and multilingual support recognized for technological innovation and inclusiveness -Incheon Metropolitan City announced that its smart tourism application, IncheonEasy, has won the Grand Prize in the Public/Medical Category at the ICT Award Korea 2026.Now in its 23rd year, ICT Award Korea is one of Korea’s leading information and communications technology awards*, recognizing outstanding digital innovation services and platforms.*Among 211 entries submitted by central government agencies, local governments, companies, and universities, 70 were selected based on evaluations of technical excellence, creativity, practicality, innovation, and public value.(Organizers: Korea Association for Information and Science Education (KISE), Sungkyunkwan University / Supporting Organizations: Ministry of Science and ICT, Gyeonggi-do, The Electronic Times)IncheonEasy received the Grand Prize in the Public/Medical Category in recognition of its AI-powered public service innovation and its inclusive digital tourism services designed to improve accessibility for both domestic and international visitors, including travelers with accessibility needs.Launched in June, the app’s AI travel assistant provides a one-stop travel service that enables users to search for tourist information, receive personalized itinerary recommendations, navigate with map-based directions, and access benefits such as discount coupons and stamp tours—all within a single application.The app also supports multiple languages, including English, Simplified Chinese, and Japanese, allowing international visitors to conveniently access travel information about Incheon without using separate translation applications. It has also been designed to be easily accessible for older adults and people with disabilities. In addition, the app has earned the Mobile Accessibility (MA) certification from the Korea Web Accessibility Evaluation Center for three consecutive years, further demonstrating its

- Public-private partnership provides cooling supplies and nutritious meals to 5,848 vulnerable seniors -Incheon Metropolitan City (Mayor Park Chan-dae) announced that, in response to ongoing heat wave warnings, it has strengthened its social safety net for vulnerable seniors and is taking proactive measures, including providing cooling supplies and expanding safety checks.Since June, the city has actively mobilized public-private support resources to help prevent heat-related illnesses among seniors vulnerable to extreme heat and support their healthy summer.To date, 5,848 vulnerable seniors have received cooling supplies—including electric fans, cooling mats, cooling neck wraps, and cooling blankets—as well as special meal packages featuring items such as samgyetang (ginseng chicken soup), helping them stay safe and healthy through the hot weather.The city has also identified 2,837 seniors at high risk from extreme heat, including those with mobility difficulties, chronic illnesses, or poor housing conditions, and is providing intensive monitoring through senior care support workers.In particular, safety checks, which are normally conducted two to three times a week, have been increased to once daily whenever heat wave advisories or warnings are issued. The city conducts both phone calls and in-person visits and plans to continue closely monitoring the safety of vulnerable seniors.To help prevent health risks caused by extreme heat waves, the city is also encouraging vulnerable groups to make active use of safety accommodations and cooling shelters operated by local governments, including senior community centers, financial institutions, libraries, religious facilities, and convenience stores.

- The “2026 Next Generation Global Startup Trade School” homeland visit program brings together 94 participants from 24 countries for six days beginning August 3 -Incheon Metropolitan City announced that the 24th Next Generation Global Startup Trade School homeland visit program for overseas Koreans 2026 will be held at the Songdo Campus of Incheon National University from August 3 to 8.The program invites next-generation overseas Koreans—ranging from 1.5 to 4th generations—from around the world to Korea to cultivate future global business leaders while strengthening their Korean identity. The program has been organized annually since 2003 by the World Federation of Overseas Korean Traders Associations (World-OKTA). This year, Incheon is co-hosting the program with World-OKTA and Incheon National University to strengthen ties with next-generation overseas Koreans as a valuable global talent pool and further enhance Incheon’s standing as a global city.A total of 94 participants are taking part in this year’s program, including 73 young overseas Koreans from 24 countries and 21 undergraduate and graduate students from Korean universities. This year, Korean university students are also participating, providing opportunities to build global networks and strengthen the foundation for future cooperation through exchanges with next-generation overseas Korean business leaders from around the world.Participants will take part in a wide range of activities, including special lectures by invited speakers, team discussions and presentations, industrial site visits, lectures on successful startup case studies by Incheon entrepreneurs, and programs exploring the city’s history and culture.On the third day of the program, participants will visit the DHL Incheon Airport Gateway at the cargo terminal of Incheon International Airport and the Incheon Robot Tower in Cheongna International City. The visits will give participants firsthand experience of Incheon’s future i

- Recognized as an outstanding local government for the second consecutive year in the Ministry of the Interior and Safety’s comprehensive evaluation -Incheon Metropolitan City announced that it received the Prime Minister’s Commendation after being named an Outstanding Local Government in the Ministry of the Interior and Safety’s 2026 Comprehensive Evaluation of Proactive Administration for Local Governments at the 6th Proactive Administration Awards Ceremony held at the Government Complex Sejong on August 3.The evaluation comprehensively assessed 243 local governments nationwide on areas including the establishment of proactive administration systems, institutional operation, performance achievements, and the identification and dissemination of best practices. Incheon was recognized as an outstanding local government for the second consecutive year and achieved the first-place ranking among Korea’s metropolitan cities.The city has systematically implemented its proactive administration action plan based on the strong commitment of its leadership. In particular, it received high marks for its overall proactive administration efforts, including the operation of the Proactive Administration Committee, expanded use of advance consultations, selection and incentives for outstanding public officials, and the identification and dissemination of best practices.The city also earned positive evaluations for continuously expanding administrative services that citizens can directly experience through creative and proactive governance while consistently implementing a variety of policies to foster a culture of proactive administration throughout the public sector.Looking ahead, Incheon plans to continue identifying and expanding exemplary proactive administration cases, expand recognition and incentives for outstanding public officials, and continue operating systems that protect and support proactive administration, thereby promoting a more creative and proactive publ

- Initial application filed for a 680 MW project to maintain project continuity before wind resource measurement data expires -Incheon Metropolitan City (Mayor Park Chan-dae) announced that on July 30 it submitted an application to the Electricity Commission under the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment for a power generation business permit for the Incheon Public-Led Offshore Wind Cluster (IC1).The application was filed by the Incheon Housing City Development Corporation, the city’s dedicated energy agency, with an initial capacity of 680 MW. The city had originally planned to develop the entire 1,000 MW cluster designated as an offshore wind cluster by incorporating it into a designated power generation zone under applicable offshore wind regulations. However, because the government has yet to issue the official notice establishing the power generation zone designation framework, the city has first applied for a 680 MW project permit to ensure business continuity before the wind resource measurement data expires. The remaining portion of the project will be developed in phases once the power generation zone system and related criteria are finalized.The designation requirements for the offshore wind cluster, which form the basis of the permit application, are also being implemented without delay. These requirements include: resolving potential overlap with marine protected areas around uninhabited islands in the West Sea; completing military operational consultations with the Ministry of National Defense; and conducting consultations on grid connection.Among these, the issue concerning marine protected areas was resolved through a notification issued by the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries on July 7. Following the Ministry of National Defense’s conditional approval in February, the city is currently pursuing administrative agreements with the relevant military units. These administrative agreements are intended as mutual agreements to faithfully impleme

- At border region peace and safety meeting, calls for government support, including designation of a Peace Economy Special Zone -The Incheon Metropolitan City (Mayor Park Chan-dae) announced that Mayor Park attended the Ministry of Unification’s Interagency Meeting on Peace and Safety in Border Areas at the Government Complex Seoul on July 27, where he called for greater central government support for maintaining peace in border regions, improving residents' living conditions, and revitalizing local economies.The meeting, chaired by Minister of Unification Chung Dong-young, brought together senior officials from central government agencies, including the Vice Minister of National Defense and the Head of the Disaster and Safety Management Headquarters at the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, as well as the heads of metropolitan governments in Incheon, Gyeonggi, and Gangwon Provinces and mayors and county governors from border regions. Participants discussed measures to maintain peace and revitalize the economies of border regions.Mayor Park stated, “As home to Ongjin-gun, located at the northwestern tip of the West Sea, and Ganghwa-gun at the mouth of the Hangang River, Incheon stands on the front line of national security and is where peace begins. For the government’s policy of peaceful coexistence to succeed, local governments closest to the communities must play an active role.”He added, “Through the Incheon Peace Initiative, we will create real peace that residents can experience in their everyday lives.”Incheon has recently taken steps to improve transportation and living conditions in border communities by opening the West Sea Inter-Korean Peace Road connecting Yeongjongdo Island and Sindo Island, while also easing regulations on nighttime fishing in the West Sea and nighttime ferry operations serving the northwestern islands.Mayor Park emphasized that border regions should no longer remain places defined by restrictions and sacrifice but inste

- New “Urban Change Timeline” service enables users to compare changes in Incheon over time in an immersive 3D environment -The Incheon Metropolitan City (Mayor Park Chan-dae) announced that it is launching next-generation science-based administrative services by utilizing an ultra-high-resolution immersive three-dimensional (3D) map built with cutting-edge drone technology.The city announced that it is rolling out its Immersive 3D Map Service, which is based on high-capacity 3D spatial data captured through precision drone surveys. It is also developing a new Urban Change Timeline service that allows users to compare the city’s appearance across different years in a three-dimensional environment.The immersive 3D map provides a highly realistic virtual representation of the entire city of Incheon. After completing 3D spatial data for all 687 square kilometers of Incheon in 2025, the city is updating the system in 2026 by conducting focused aerial surveys of 134 square kilometers covering areas that have undergone significant urban development.In particular, the newly introduced Urban Change Timeline feature represents a next-generation urban management model, enabling users to compare and analyze changes in Incheon’s urban landscape over time in an immersive 3D environment. By systematically accumulating and integrating annual 3D spatial data, the city expects to significantly improve administrative efficiency by enabling precise virtual analysis without the need for on-site visits. The system can support a wide range of administrative functions, including visual openness analysis, landscape review, disaster preparedness and response, and environmental monitoring.In addition to supporting administrative operations, Incheon will expand access to these high-quality 3D maps through a citizen-oriented 3D policy map service. By accessing imap Incheon (https://imap.incheon.go.kr), citizens will be able to explore major urban landmarks, key districts, three-dimensi

- Exhibition runs from July 28 to November 15, showcasing Incheon’s traditional woodcraft and craftsmanship -The Songam Art Museum of the Incheon Metropolitan City (Mayor Park Chan-dae) announced that it will host the special exhibition “The Artisan’s Breath in the Grain of Wood,” from July 28 to November 15, exploring Incheon’s traditional craftsmanship through the medium of wood.The exhibition highlights the craftsmanship and dedication embodied in wood while introducing the value of Incheon’s traditional woodworking crafts and intangible cultural heritage to visitors.Visitors will see a diverse collection of works, including Ganghwa bandaji, Incheon’s signature traditional wooden chest; Buddhist woodcraft, including wooden Buddha statues and floral lattice doors that combine religious devotion with artistic expression; and contemporary works by master artisans who continue these traditions today.The exhibition is divided into three sections. The first section traces the evolution of wooden crafts, from the practical wooden furniture associated with the ideals of Confucian scholars during the Joseon Dynasty to decorative wooden crafts valued for their artistic appreciation. Featured works include those by Lee Jae-man, a holder of the traditional hwagakjang (ox-horn inlay craft) designation.The second section presents 17th-century Buddha statues, regarded as masterpieces of Incheon’s Buddhist wood sculpture tradition, alongside works by Lee Bang-ho, a designated master wood sculptor who continues that artistic legacy.The third section introduces the tradition of dancheong, the decorative painting technique that both protects and beautifies wooden structures, and features works by Jeong Seong-gil, a designated master of dancheong.An official from the Songam Art Museum said, “We hope this exhibition will serve as an opportunity to rediscover the spirit of the artisans embodied in wood and the richness of Incheon’s traditional culture. We also hope

- Playground to be built at the Child Love Dream Center, creating a one-stop childcare hub for play, counseling, and parenting support -The Incheon Metropolitan City (Mayor Park Chan-dae) announced that it has been selected for the 2026 Mom-Friendly Playground project, a joint initiative by the Lotte Group and ChildFund Korea to improve play environments for infants and young children.This achievement, which overcame budget constraints through public-private collaboration, will bring a high-quality indoor playground to the Child Love Dream Center currently under construction in Bupyeong-gu.The Child Love Dream Center is a comprehensive childcare support facility being developed at a total cost of KRW 37.6 billion in coordination with the Support Center For Childcare and the Mom Center. The center is designed as a one-stop childcare hub where families can access developmental screenings, play experiences, water play, parenting counseling, and nature-based activities in one location.Although the facility offers a wide range of services, the city faced significant challenges in securing national government funding and other financial resources. To address this, it turned to a competitive grant program sponsored by a private company. From the outset of the application process, the city carefully analyzed the strengths and challenges of the Child Love Dream Center and proposed a facility layout and sustainable operational plan tailored to local needs, ultimately securing selection for the project.In particular, key factors in the successful selection included the seamless integration of services with the Support Center For Childcare and the Mom Center, projected growth in the child population, and excellent accessibility to nearby facilities, including a sports center and hospital.The indoor playground will be located on the second floor of Building A at the Child Love Dream Center in Bupyeong-gu and will occupy 471.3 square meters of the facility’s total 1,347-square-

- 2.99 km two-lane road connecting Cheongna Haneuldaegyo Bridge and Midan City to open to traffic at 9 AM -The Incheon Construction Headquarters announced that the Yeongjong Coastal Ring Road (Phase 1 of the Midan City Access Road) will officially open to traffic at 9 AM on Jul. 13.The opening completes the final unfinished section of the Yeongjong Coastal Ring Road, creating a continuous 53.7-km coastal roadway encircling Yeongjongdo Island.Construction of the project was completed on Jun. 30, and the city will proceed with the official opening following joint inspections conducted with relevant agencies.The newly opened section extends 2.99 km with a roadway width of 15 m, consisting of two traffic lanes connecting Cheongna Haneuldaegyo Bridge and Midan City. The new section, which is intended to be a standard roadway with dedicated pedestrian and bicycle paths, is expected to improve convenience for both motorists and cyclists using Cheongna Haneuldaegyo Bridge.The opening is expected to significantly improve accessibility to Midan City and the Dream Island, enhancing transportation throughout Yeongjong International City while supporting the continued development of the Free Economic Zone.Kim Hong-eun, Director of the Incheon Construction Headquarters, stated, “The opening of the Yeongjong Coastal Ring Road will significantly improve transportation convenience for Yeongjongdo residents. By enhancing accessibility for visitors and tourists traveling to Yeongjong International City via Cheongna Haneuldaegyo Bridge, the project is also expected to contribute to tourism and the ongoing growth of the Free Economic Zone.”