Request for Hosting Overseas Koreans Office in Incheon and Special Grant Support
Incheon Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok (left) and Minister of the Interior and Safety Lee Sang-min [Provided by Incheon City]
[Asia Economy Reporter Park Hyesook] Incheon Mayor Yoo Jung-bok met with Minister of the Interior and Safety Lee Sang-min to request cooperation for resolving local issues, including the reorganization of Incheon's administrative districts.
According to Incheon City on the 27th, Mayor Yoo met with Minister Lee at the Government Seoul Office the previous day to request support for administrative district reorganization, the establishment of the Overseas Koreans Office in Incheon, and the provision of 30 billion KRW in special grants.
Earlier, Incheon City announced a plan to reorganize administrative districts by dividing Jung-gu and Dong-gu into Yeongjong-gu, centered on Yeongjongdo Island, and Jemulpo-gu, centered on the inland areas of Jung-gu and Dong-gu, and separating Geomdan from Seo-gu to create Geomdan-gu and Seo-gu (from 2 counties and 8 districts to 2 counties and 9 districts).
An Incheon City official said, "As discussions between Mayor Yoo and Minister Lee, who is in charge of administrative affairs at the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, progress, we expect communication and cooperation with central government ministries to advance further."
During the meeting, Mayor Yoo also emphasized to Minister Lee that Incheon is the optimal location for the Overseas Koreans Office, which will conveniently serve 7.5 million overseas Koreans, and explained the historical significance of the first 121 immigrants who departed from Incheon.
The establishment of the Overseas Koreans Office is included in the government's 120 national tasks, and related bills such as the Basic Act on Overseas Koreans are currently pending in the National Assembly.
Although the government has no concrete plans yet for the establishment of the Overseas Koreans Office, Mayor Yoo declared on the 22nd, while on an overseas trip, his intention to attract the office to Incheon and has since begun active efforts to do so.
If the Overseas Koreans Office is established in Incheon, it is expected to create synergy with the World Han Sang Dream Island being developed on Yeongjongdo Island and the 15 international organizations in Incheon, greatly enhancing the status, livelihood security, human rights, and interests of overseas Koreans, according to the city.
Mayor Yoo requested the provision of 30 billion KRW in special grants to ensure smooth progress of local projects such as the regeneration of Namdong National Industrial Complex and the construction of Local Road No. 84.
Mayor Yoo stated, "The reorganization of Incheon's administrative system and the establishment of the Overseas Koreans Office are foundational matters for Incheon to advance as a world-class city," adding, "Minister Lee also expressed deep sympathy for the cooperation requests. We will continue to strengthen cooperation with central government ministries going forward."
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