17 Provincial Governors Congratulate President-Elect Lee Jae-myung

The Governors Association of The Republic of Korea issued a joint statement congratulating Lee Jae-myung on his presidential victory, expressing hopes that the launch of the new administration will serve as a turning point toward national unity.

In the statement, the 17 provincial governors stressed the need for close cooperation between the central and local governments to overcome the current crises facing the country, including economic stagnation and regional decline.

They also called for strengthened decentralization to enable a cooperative governance system between central and local authorities, urging a constitutional amendment to establish a decentralized framework.

Incheon International Ocean Forum 2025 Confirms Session Topics Focused on Future Marine Industry

The Incheon Port Authority has confirmed the session topics for the 6th Incheon International Ocean Forum (IIOF 2025), scheduled to take place on July 3 and 4 at Songdo Convensia in Incheon.

The first session on Maritime Logistics will discuss ‘Smart Decisions, Resilient Supply Chain,’ focusing on innovations in the maritime industry through digital technologies and strategies to restore global supply chains.

The second session on Ocean Environment and Climate is titled ‘Arctic Sea Route Development and Sustainable Marine Industry through Blue Carbon.’

The third session on Ocean Energy will explore the digital transition in ocean energy and the revitalization of regional ocean industry ecosystem.

The forum will also feature a special session titled ‘Global Competitiveness of Cities, Great Transformation of Tokyo, and Incheon.’

Songdo International School Site to Be Open for Bidding in Second Half of Year

A development plan for an international school site in Incheon’s Songdo International Business District, which has long remained idle due to investment challenges, is set to move forward.

The Incheon Free Economic Zone Authority announced plans to open bidding in the second half of this year for the development of the F18 block (71,000 square meters) in Songdo District 3, designated for an international school.

Under current law, eligibility is limited to foreign school corporations such as national or local governments and nonprofit organizations that operate preschool, elementary, middle, and high school education institutions in foreign countries.

Unlike previous cases where developers were selected through private contracts, the selection will follow an international bidding process with expert evaluations, similar to the model used for the international school project in Yeongjong Midan City.

Incheon City Tour Service Begins Operations on June 4

Incheon Metropolitan City and Incheon Tourism Organization officially launched the Incheon City Tour service on June 4.

This year's Incheon City Tour consists of eight routes, including two circular routes and six themed routes.

In particular, three of the four double-decker buses on the coastal route have been replaced with eco-friendly vehicles. The Incheon Retro route and themed routes will begin operation later in June once vehicle maintenance and system stabilization are complete.

Incheon City to Host 5th Incheon Traditional Culture and Arts Festival

Incheon City will hold the 5th Incheon Traditional Culture and Arts Festival on June 7 at Eoulkeun Madang in Incheon Grand Park.

The festival, now in its fifth year, will feature a variety of performances by traditional arts organizations, artists, and clubs in Incheon.

An official from the city expressed hopes that the event will offer citizens a meaningful opportunity to experience the beauty and joy of Korea’s traditional culture and arts.

Korea Coast Guard Assigns Two Apprentice Lawyers to Strengthen Legal Capabilities

The Korea Coast Guard has assigned two newly qualified apprentice lawyers to the agency for a six-month term through November, following their recent success in the national bar exam.

They will be placed in the Planning and Coordination Office and the Investigation Bureau, where they will assist with legislative and litigation work, provide legal counsel, interpret laws and regulations, review administrative rules, and analyze case law.

The Coast Guard expects their presence to enhance on-site legal administration in areas such as investigations and policy planning, while also helping the apprentices gain practical experience.

Sources: https://news.ifm.kr