Incheon Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok Proposes Amendment to Economic Free Zone Act to Deputy Prime Minister for Economy

On the 5th, Incheon Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok held a meeting with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance Choo Kyung-ho at the Government Seoul Office and proposed solutions to regional issues, including the revision of the Economic Free Zone Act.

According to Incheon City, Mayor Yoo requested Deputy Prime Minister Choo to completely reform the Economic Free Zone Act so that Incheon can function as a national-level growth hub.

This is because the revision of related laws is necessary for the success of the 'New Hong Kong City Project,' a key pledge of the 8th local government administration.

This project aims to develop Incheon into a global hub city on par with Hong Kong and Singapore. It is being promoted in the direction of fostering advanced industries such as bio, semiconductors, mobility, and aircraft maintenance (MRO) based on the international cities of Songdo, Cheongna, Yeongjong, as well as Ganghwa and Ongjin counties, and Incheon Inner Port.

Yoo Jeong-bok, Mayor of Incheon
Photo by Incheon City

Mayor Yoo also proposed transferring ownership of the Incheon Inner Port to Incheon City to promote the Jemulpo Renaissance, a regeneration project for Incheon’s old downtown, and requested exemption from the preliminary feasibility study for the early promotion of the Yeongjong-Ganghwa Road.

The construction of the Yeongjong-Ganghwa Road aims to connect Yeongjong Island and Ganghwa Island to improve residential conditions for residents in the border area, revitalize the local economy, and generate tourism demand. The project is being carried out in two phases: Phase 1 is the construction of the Yeongjong-Sindo (3.2 km) road, and Phase 2 is the Sindo-Ganghwa (11.4 km) road.

Mayor Yoo also asked the government to join forces in making the tolls on the Gyeongin Expressway free, establishing an infectious disease specialized hospital in Incheon, and increasing the residential support funds for the five West Sea islands.