- Public agencies and companies come together to share progress, strengthening Incheon’s goal to become a global hydrogen industry city -Incheon Metropolitan City (Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok) announced that it held a hydrogen business workshop at the new annex of Incheon City Hall on March 24 for agencies and companies involved in hydrogen mobility.Around 40 representatives attended, including representatives from public institutions such as Incheon Transit Corporation, Incheon International Airport Corporation, and Incheon Technopark, as well as companies in the hydrogen mobility sector, such as Hyundai Motor Company and SK Innovation ES.Incheon explained that the workshop was arranged to share the city’s direction for hydrogen mobility, build a stronger cooperation framework among related agencies and companies, and discuss the sector’s future direction together.During the workshop, the city presented the current status of its hydrogen mobility initiatives and future policy directions. Hyundai Motor Company and SK Innovation ES also shared updates on hydrogen mobility projects, hydrogen supply facility operations, and the current status of liquefied hydrogen projects.Incheon once again reaffirmed its commitment to advancing the full hydrogen ecosystem, from production and distribution to consumption, by expanding hydrogen production, refueling infrastructure, and demand bases. Through that effort, the city aims to position Incheon as a global hub for the hydrogen industry. To support the goal, Incheon is working to expand local hydrogen production facilities and hydrogen refueling stations, while also advancing plans to convert all city buses to hydrogen buses.Lee Nam-joo, Director General of the Future Industry Bureau, stated, “The shift to clean energy, especially hydrogen energy, reflects the direction of our times and remains a task that must move forward. Through this workshop, Incheon will work closely with related agencies and companies, taking a leading r

- KRW 165 billion in support, with up to KRW 1 billion per company and a shared 1.9% interest subsidy -Incheon Metropolitan City (Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok) announced that it signed an MOU with Hana Bank and Incheon Technopark for the 2026 Incheon Special Business Stability Fund Support Project on March 23 at Incheon City Hall. The MOU is designed to ease the financial burden on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) facing growing difficulty in securing funds amid the prolonged economic downturn.Incheon moved forward with the MOU to support local SMEs amid rising uncertainty at home and abroad, as funding became harder to secure under high interest rates. Reflecting strong demand from businesses struggling with high borrowing costs, Incheon plans to strengthen the foundation for stable business operations through a joint support model that combines financial institution contributions with interest rate assistance.Incheon has continued to support working capital loans for SMEs through its Business Stability Fund Project. Since 2023, the city has also expanded support through partnerships with commercial banks.Under the MOU, Hana Bank will contribute KRW 990 million to Incheon Technopark for an interest subsidy project, supporting Incheon-based SMEs affected by the economic slowdown.Incheon will add city funding to Hana Bank’s contribution, then officially launch the 2026 Incheon Special Business Stability Fund Support Project through a public notice in April.The project will be carried out through a cooperative lending arrangement with Hana Bank, with the total support amounting to KRW 165 billion. Each company may apply for up to KRW 1 billion, with repayment set as a lump sum at the end of a one-year term. Under the interest subsidy plan, Incheon will cover 1.3% and Hana Bank 0.6%, bringing the total to 1.9%.Eligible applicants are SMEs that operate factories in Incheon or run manufacturing-related businesses, provided they can obtain a loan from Hana Bank. Other s

- Temporary walkway now connects directly to the Open Port Plaza, improving pedestrian access -Incheon Metropolitan City (Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok) announced that a new access route to the 1883 Port Plaza has been completed, making it easier for residents to reach the site. Part of the former rail site along the Chukhang Line was used for the project.The new access route measures 12 m in length and 10 m in width. It was created to connect the existing temporary pedestrian walkway on Injung-ro directly to Open Port Plaza. With the new route now open, pedestrians can move through the former rail site, an area that had long seen limited access. The walking environment has improved significantly as a result.In December last year, Incheon completed environmental improvement work around the former rail site near Open Port Plaza. Aged security fencing was replaced with a low open fence, while waste and overgrown vegetation were cleared. Incheon also created a 277 m temporary walkway connecting the existing sidewalk to the former rail site, opening the space to residents as a pedestrian route.Incheon then secured approval for the new access route after consulting with the Incheon Port Authority, the owner of the former rail site, and the Korea National Railway, which manages the rail line. Following the required administrative procedures, including a report related to activities within the railroad protection zone, construction was completed.With the new route in place, the full pedestrian path from the Gaehangjang (Open Port Area) to the temporary walkway and onward to Open Port Plaza has now been completed. Access for residents is expected to improve greatly, while the former rail site area is expected to take on a new role as an open urban space.Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok stated, “Following the removal of fences, environmental improvements, and the creation of the temporary walkway, the completion of the new access route has brought Port Plaza and the former rail site much closer

- Road name finalized after reviewing public survey results and proposals from district offices -Incheon Metropolitan City (Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok) announced that at the 1st Incheon Metropolitan City Address Information Committee Meeting of 2026 held on March 19, the connecting road between Yeongjong and Cheongna was officially named “Cheongnahaneul-daero.”The 8.1 kilometer road runs from 1097-600 Jungsan-dong in Jung-gu, through Cheongna Haneul Bridge, to 101-11 Cheongna-dong in Seo-gu.Three road name candidates were submitted for review. Jung-gu proposed “Incheongukjedosi-daero” (Incheon International City Road), reflecting local characteristics. Seo-gu proposed “Cheongnahaneul-daero” (Cheongna Sky Road), based on the name of Cheongnahaneuldaegyo Bridge. And Incheon Metropolitan City proposed “Gukjemiraedae-ro” (International Future Road).The committee selected Cheongnahaneul-daero after reviewing the results of a public survey conducted from March 6 to 16, presentations from each local government, and road naming standards.Cheongnahaneul-daero received a positive assessment as the name reflects Cheongnahaneuldaegyo Bridge, making the location easy to recognize and improving predictability and ease of use. Another factor behind the decision was how well the name captures the area’s character and identity.The committee also approved two more road names. Ongjin-gun and Jung-gu proposed “Pyeonghwa-daero” (Peace Road) for the connecting road between Yeongjong and Sindo. Yeonsu-gu and Namdong-gu proposed “Kkumieum-gil” (Dream Road) for the connecting road between Songdo Waterfront and Seunggi Stream.The three metropolitan road names approved at this meeting will be reflected in the address information database through an official notice from Incheon City, without a separate review process by a higher authority. The names will then be applied to maps, navigation systems, and public information systems.Lee Won-ju, Director of the Urban Planning Bur

- Pet-friendly restaurants now require compliance to facility standards and guidelines -Incheon Metropolitan City (Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok) announced that the Pet Friendly Restaurant Policy officially took effect on March 1, 2026.As pet ownership continues to grow and social norms continue to shift, the policy was introduced to address hygiene and safety concerns. Under the new system, restaurants in Incheon can now allow pets on site. The change is expected to support a new dining culture where pet owners and non-pet owners can share the same spaces.Businesses planning to operate pet-friendly restaurants must meet facility standards and comply with business guidelines. For stable operation, business owners can apply for a pre-consultation through sanitation departments in corresponding counties and districts.As regular patrons and visitors with pets will be in the same space, pet-friendly restaurants must maintain strict hygiene standards and follow safety rules. Restaurants must also clearly indicate whether pets are allowed, helping customers choose a space that suits their needs.More information is available on the official website of Incheon Metropolitan City. From the outset, Incheon will conduct targeted inspections and provide on-site guidance to minimize confusion. The city will also continue promoting and managing efforts to help establish a proper pet-friendly dining culture.Shin Byung-cheol, Director of the Incheon Health and Welfare Bureau, stated, “The project is expected to make outings more convenient for pet owners, while also creating an environment where people can spend an enjoyable time with their pets at restaurants. We also hope residents will work together to build a culture where pets, people, and different types of users can coexist.”Incheon plans to continue strengthening preparation and support from the early stages of the implementation, helping a safe and enjoyable dining culture take root where pets and people can coexist. 

- Launching a Drone-Based Realistic 3D Map That Gives Residents Access to Immersive City Information -Incheon Metropolitan City (Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok) announced that, starting on March 23, Incheon’s flagship map portal “i Map” will begin offering a 3D map service, helping residents understand urban spaces more intuitively and providing easier access to a wide range of information for everyday life.Built from drone footage, the service uses a realistic 3D map that presents terrain and building exteriors in a form that closely reflects actual landscapes of Incheon. Moving beyond a flat map format, the new service presents buildings and terrain in three dimensions, giving residents a more vivid view of urban space.A 3D model based on real images precisely recreates terrain and building facades. Compared with the simple blocks used in earlier models, the new version presents a far more lifelike view of the city. Residents will be able to examine Incheon’s urban spaces from multiple angles, while gaining a more intuitive understanding of the city’s structure and how it is changing.Launched on March 25, 2021, i Map began as the Incheon Real Estate Plaza, bringing together aerial photographs, satellite imagery, land registers, cadastral maps, zoning information, development plans, and other real estate data in one place.The new i Map will provide about thirty 3D policy maps with the existing 2D maps, covering a wide range of topics closely tied to daily life.Examples include “i+ MapDream,” which helps users check Incheon’s childcare policies, facilities, useful venues on a single map, “Incheon’s Firsts and Oldests,” which introduces the city’s earliest and highest achievements, “Incheon Architecture Awards,” which highlights outstanding buildings, “Sky Drone Incheon,” which lets users view major attractions and cityscapes through drone footage, and “Incheon Tour Map,” which introduces various ways to explore the city through the Incheon T

- Businesses to Showcase Marine Safety, Shipbuilding, and Future Maritime Technologies in Songdo Convensia on June 17–19 -Incheon Metropolitan City (Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok) announced that the 2026 Korea Ocean Expo will be held at Songdo Convensia in Incheon for three days from June 17 to 19. As the only exhibition in the Seoul metropolitan area dedicated to the maritime industry, the event is expected to draw strong interest from across the sector.Co-hosted by Incheon Metropolitan City and the Korea Coast Guard (Acting Commissioner Jang In-sik), with Incheon Tourism Organization (President Yoo Ji-sang) and Reed K. Fairs serving as organizers, the expo is a global MICE event certified by the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry (UFI). Following record results in 2024, the event returns for its eighth edition this year, featuring more advanced digital and eco-friendly technologies.The exhibition will be organized into nine themes. Alongside established sectors such as shipbuilding and vessels, ship operation equipment, maritime safety, and defense equipment, the expo will present future maritime industry trends shaped by Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies. Visitors will be able to explore AI-assisted autonomous navigation, eco-friendly vessels, drones, robotics-based maritime rescue solutions, and such, all in one place. About 200 companies are expected to take part, including major Korean and international shipyards and advanced maritime equipment firms. This would make this year’s expo the largest edition to date.Programs designed to strengthen global business outcomes will also be expanded. The expo will help participating companies expand into overseas markets through export consultation sessions with global maritime law enforcement agencies and overseas coast guard procurement officials. One-on-one consultation sessions with procurement officials from the Korea Coast Guard and major Korean shipyards will also be expanded, helping create practical

- Specialized training in infectious disease testing to be provided at local public health centers -Incheon Metropolitan City (Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok) announced that the Incheon Institute of Health and Environment conducted a three-day training from March 11 to 13 for testing staff at public health centers across the city, focusing on strengthening capacity for infectious disease diagnosis.The training was designed to improve the expertise and diagnostic accuracy of testing staff at public health centers working on the frontlines of infectious disease response, helping local communities contain outbreaks more quickly.With imported infectious diseases on the rise in recent years, along with more varied outbreak patterns driven by climate change and other factors, the skill level and speed of response by the frontline testing staff have become a core foundation for protecting public safety.Accordingly, the institute focused on further reinforcing the infectious disease response system through practical training built around real field conditions.The training covered major infectious diseases, including enteric bacterial infections, syphilis, Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), and malaria, combining both theory and hands-on practice.To improve the accuracy of laboratory diagnosis, the training covered the latest testing methods and reviewed testing procedures and quality control systems in accordance with standard guidelines. Training on bioterrorism response procedures was also provided to further strengthen the preparedness for emergency situations.In particular, the training went beyond simple technical instruction. It also reaffirmed a basic principle of public health that prompt and accurate diagnosis is the strongest mode of disease control. Because the impact of an infectious disease on a local community can vary greatly depending on how early it is detected, the institute once again emphasized that accuracy and accountability at the testing stage are more importa

- 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