Fines considered for serviced residence units suspected of illegal use

Authorities have identified 287 serviced residence units in Songdo International City that may be subject to enforcement fines for illegal use. According to the Incheon Free Economic Zone Authority, a total of 4,054 serviced residence units were completed in Songdo after 2020. Of these, about 7 percent are suspected of violating building regulations. If confirmed as illegal, correction orders will be issued. Failure to comply will result in enforcement fines.

Songdo high-voltage power line project to ease power shortage concerns

The underground installation of high-voltage transmission lines in Songdo International City will move forward. The project had been stalled due to public opposition, but was cleared after the fourth review. Incheon’s Yeonsu-gu approved road excavation work for a section of Bio-daero connecting the East and West Songdo substations. With approval granted, a 154-kilovolt high-voltage transmission line will be installed to supply electricity to the Songdo area. Once completed, the project is expected to ease power supply concerns that had slowed development projects in the area.

Self-driving buses proposed as solution to late-night transportation gaps

Self-driving buses have been proposed as a solution to address late-night transportation gaps in Incheon. The Incheon Institute released research findings on introducing late-night autonomous buses as part of a seamless metropolitan transportation system. The study noted that city bus services often end before the last metropolitan rail services arrive, leaving travelers stranded during late-night hours. To address this structural issue, the institute proposed a phased introduction of late-night autonomous buses and short-distance autonomous shuttle services.

Incheon to introduce AI system for handling civil complaint calls

Incheon Metropolitan City will gradually introduce an AI-based civil complaint call response system, starting with departments handling high call volumes. The system provides civil servants with caller information, including phone number, recent call history, average call duration, and call frequency over the past six months. This allows officials to maintain work continuity and provide faster consultations for repeated inquiries. The system also includes a protection feature allowing staff to press a warning button to play a notice message and terminate the call if a caller engages in verbal abuse, sexual harassment, or unjustified prolonged calls.

Incheon police launch special safety measures ahead of Lunar New Year

The Incheon Metropolitan Police Agency will implement special public safety measures from February 9 to 18, ahead of the Lunar New Year holiday. For ten days, police will strengthen situation management and prevent relationship-based crimes, including domestic violence. Authorities will respond strictly to violent crimes such as assault, robbery, and theft. Police presence and patrols will be intensified in crime-prone areas including traditional markets, terminals, and jewelry shops.

Incheon activates emergency disease prevention system during Lunar New Years

Incheon Metropolitan City will operate an emergency disease prevention system during the Lunar New Year holiday. From February 14 to 18, the city will run an emergency response team and deploy 130 quarantine personnel. Isolation beds will be prepared in case of infectious disease cases, and 337 pharmacies will operate to provide oral COVID-19 treatments. Quarantine screening for incoming travelers will also be strengthened. Those with fever or respiratory symptoms can receive free testing at quarantine stations.

Incheon Free Economic Zone firms increase output by over 30 percent

Companies located in the Incheon Free Economic Zone have continued to show strong growth in production and investment. According to a 2024 business survey released by the Incheon Free Economic Zone Authority, total production of companies in the economic zone reached 12.85 trillion won, up 30.4 percent from the previous year. The figure far exceeds the average annual growth rate of 15.6 percent recorded between 2017 and 2024. Production by foreign-invested companies totaled 8.65 trillion won, marking a 55.7 percent year-on-year increase.

Sources: https://news.ifm.kr