Bill proposed to keep current number of local council members in new Jemulpo-gu

A bill has been proposed to maintain the number of local council members in Jemulpo-gu. The district will be newly established this July as part of Incheon’s administrative reorganization. Democratic Party lawmaker Heo Jong-sik said he has proposed an amendment to the Act on the Establishment of Jemulpo-gu, Yeongjong-gu, and Geomdan-gu in Incheon. The bill says that when Jemulpo-gu is launched by merging Jung-gu inland areas and Dong-gu, the current number of council members and electoral districts will remain the same. This means three members from Jung-gu inland areas and eight members from Dong-gu will remain in the council. 

Songdo District 11 infrastructure project to complete first phase this year

The Incheon Free Economic Zone Authority is building infrastructure in the newly developed District 11 area in eastern Songdo International City. Songdo District 11 covers 12.45 million square meters, and is roughly 4.3 times the size of Seoul’s Yeouido. Together with Districts 4, 5, and 7, the area will be developed as a bio mega cluster. The authority plans to build infrastructure considering logistics flows and residential conditions needed for industrial activity. Once the infrastructure work is completed, advanced industry facilities, including biotech companies, are expected to move in while research and support functions will also be established. 

Incheon to increase housing stability for vulnerable groups

Incheon Metropolitan City will spend a total of 287.9 billion won this year on housing stability support programs for vulnerable groups. The city will support residents living in tiny rooms, goshiwon or mini studios, and semi-basement homes, as well as low-income households, people with disabilities, and renters without homes through rent support programs and housing environment improvement projects. Through the Metropolitan Housing Welfare Center, the city will also strengthen counseling and case management. Housing benefits will be provided to households earning 48 percent or less of the median income.

Incheon to provide low-interest loans for small business market promotion

Incheon Metropolitan City will begin a low-interest policy loan program for small businesses to support stable business operations and boost the local economy. The Small Business and Market Promotion Fund, which will be available starting February 4th, totals 5 billion won, with 2.5 billion won to be allocated in the 1st half of the year, and the remaining amount in the 2nd half. The loans will support store facility improvement and operating funds for local businesses. Luxury and entertainment businesses, as well as businesses with overdue payments or unpaid taxes, will be excluded from the program. Eligible applicants are small business owners in Incheon. Each business can receive up to fifty million won.

Incheon to review surface road plans under Gyeongin Expressway undergrounding project 

Incheon Metropolitan City will carry out a study to review surface road plans under the Gyeongin Expressway undergrounding project. The project, led by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, will build a four-lane underground expressway over a 15.3-kilometer section from Cheongna 1-dong in Seo-gu, Incheon, to Sinwol-dong in Yangcheon-gu, Seoul. The total project cost is 1.378 trillion won. Once the underground expressway is built, the current ground-level expressway will be converted into general roads with intersections. The study will detail road and green space plans, including intersection placement and landscape planning, for areas where noise barriers and retaining walls will be removed. The city’s views will be actively reflected in the project. 

Incheon to implement special safety measures for Lunar New Year holidays

Incheon Metropolitan City will implement special safety measures for the Lunar New Year holidays so citizens can enjoy a safe and comfortable holiday. By the end of January, joint inspections by district and county offices as well as related agencies will be conducted at 131 multi-use facilities with floor areas over five thousand square meters. Key inspections include disaster safety training, crisis response manuals, and their management status. Safety management for electrical and mechanical systems, such as elevators, and gas use and handling safety will also be checked. Firefighting facilities and equipment will be reviewed for proper installation and maintenance while minor issues will be corrected on site. Issues requiring improvement will be managed until risks are fully resolved.

Sources: https://news.ifm.kr