[Article 1]

Incheon Island Police and Firefighters to Get Ferry Discount

Career soldiers, civilian military employees, police officers, firefighters and public health doctors working on islands will become eligible for the “i-Bada Pass” transportation subsidy starting September 21.

Incheon Metropolitan CIty decided to put the revised enforcement rules for the relevant ordinance into effect immediately upon their promulgation on September 21, following their recent approval.

The i-Bada Pass allows Incheon residents to use coastal passenger ferries for 1,500 won one way.

Until now, professional soldiers and others who did not have registered addresses in Incheon were not eligible for the benefit.

The city estimates that around 1,700 people working in security, public safety and healthcare on the islands will benefit from reduced transportation costs under the new measure.

[Article 2]

Incheon to Roll Out Flu Vaccinations, Add COVID-19 Shots from October

Incheon Metropolitan City is expanding free flu vaccinations for children to include those up to age 14 and will offer simultaneous COVID-19 and flu vaccinations for seniors. The measure is in response to the earlier-than-usual spread of influenza.

The city said it will begin providing free flu vaccinations for 2026 in stages, starting September 21 with children aged six months and older and pregnant women.

People aged 75 and older will be eligible for vaccinations starting October 6.

Beginning October 12, citizens will also be able to receive COVID-19 and flu vaccines at the same time.

[Article 3]

Incheon to Hold “Hangawi Folk Festival” at Wolmi Park

Incheon Metropolitan City will hold the “Hangawi Folk Festival Experience Event” from September 25 to 26 at Yangjindang in Wolmi Park’s traditional garden.

On September 25, participants will make traditional Korean rice crackers with nuts, while on September 26, they will make 500 milliliters of traditional gochujang, or red chili paste.

The activities will be held free of charge from 2 to 5 p.m. on both days.

Traditional folk games will also be available in the Yangjindang courtyard from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. throughout the event.

[Article 4]

Incheon to Hold Village Enterprise Pop-up Store on September 19–20

Incheon Metropolitan City is promoting products made by village enterprises as part of efforts to expand sales channels and encourage consumption of locally produced goods.

The city said it will hold a “Village Enterprise Pop-up Store” at Incheon Citizen’s House from September 19 to 20.

Sixteen village enterprises from Incheon will participate in the event, which was organized to strengthen their self-sustainability and introduce their quality products to residents.

A variety of food and household products will be displayed and sold, including traditional teas, natural-dye products, vegan yogurt, traditional fermented sauces, handmade cookies, dumpling hot-pot meal kits and locally grown grapes.

[Article 5]

Incheon Grand Park to Offer Pet Woodworking Experience

A woodworking program where pet owners can make houses and beds for their pets will return to Incheon Grand Park following last year’s event.

The Incheon Grand Park Office said it will operate the “Make Wooden Items for My Pet” program every Saturday from September 19 through November 28.

The three-hour sessions will run from 2 to 5 p.m., for a total of 10 sessions.

Participants will cut, shape and assemble wood themselves to create a piece of furniture for their pets, choosing from a dog house, cat house or pet bed.

[Article 6]

Incheon City Chorale to Hold Concert Ahead of Official ACDA Invitation

The Incheon City Chorale will present its program for the international stage to Korean audiences ahead of its official invitation to the National Conference of the American Choral Directors Association, or ACDA, its first such invitation in 18 years. 

 The Incheon City Chorale will hold its 198th regular concert, “Concert Celebrating Invitation to the 2027 ACDA National Conference,” at 7:30 p.m. on October 13 at Lotte Concert Hall. 

 The concert was organized to mark the chorale’s official invitation to the 2027 ACDA National Conference, which will be held in Minneapolis, Minnesota, in March 2027. 

 The Incheon City Chorale was selected as one of the officially invited choirs, alongside Conspirare of the United States and Tenebrae of the United Kingdom. 

 It will take the stage as a headliner and lead a 45-minute solo performance. 

Sources: https://news.ifm.kr