[Interview] Incheon Mayor Yoo Jungbok: "Full Commitment to Citizen-Oriented Livelihood and Robust Welfare Policies"

Accelerating Incheon-Style Birth Policies such as "Gilre Dream," "Ie Dream," and "Maejeo Dream"
Aiming to Create 600,000 Jobs and Launch the Nation's Largest Local Currency Project
Fourth Bidding for Alternative Metropolitan Landfill Site Underway Until October 10
Conducting Preliminary Feasibility Study for Hosting the "F1 Grand Prix"

Yoo Jungbok, Mayor of Incheon

"During the remainder of my term in the 8th popularly elected administration, I will focus on implementing citizen-oriented livelihood policies and even stronger welfare initiatives, while dedicating efforts to revitalizing the local economy."

On August 14, in an interview with Asia Economy, Incheon Mayor Yoo Jungbok stated, "Livelihood policies such as 'Thousand Won Housing,' 'i-Pass,' 'Half-Price Delivery,' and 'i-Sea Pass' have effectively reduced the real burdens on citizens and increased satisfaction. Therefore, in the second half of the year, we will expand 'Thousand Won' policies, including thousand-won delivery and tickets. We will also continue livelihood policies such as providing loan interest support for households with newborns to help them purchase homes, and offering management stabilization funds for small business owners and SMEs."

He also announced plans to accelerate the 'i-Plus Gilre Dream' project, following the 'i-Plus 100 Million Dream,' which provides up to 100 million won to children born in Incheon until they turn 18, and the 'i-Plus Jib Dream (Thousand Won Housing),' which supplies housing to newlywed couples without homes for a daily rent of 1,000 won. The core of this initiative is to expand services for families needing more care than the government-supported 960 hours per year, allowing up to 1,040 hours, and to provide additional support such as evening and weekend gap care and free lunch during school vacations for children at risk of missing meals.

Mayor Yoo said, "Thanks to birth policies like the 100 Million Dream and Thousand Won Housing, Incheon's birth rate growth last year was 11.6%, more than three times the national average of 3.6%, ranking first in the country by a wide margin." He added, "We will also establish policies such as 'Ie Dream' and 'Maejeo Dream,' which support meeting and marriage expenses for single men and women, along with the Gilre Dream policy."

Prospective tenants are applying for the 'Thousand Won Housing' program at the central hall of Incheon City Hall. 2025.3.6 Incheon City

Incheon recorded a regional gross domestic product (GRDP) of 117 trillion won in 2023, ranking second in economic scale after Seoul. In addition, Incheon achieved the highest real economic growth rate in the country for two consecutive years, including 2022, demonstrating remarkable growth in various economic indicators and surpassing Busan to become Korea's second-largest city. Building on this momentum, the 8th popularly elected Incheon city administration plans to devote all efforts to revitalizing the local economy.

Mayor Yoo stated, "With the cultivation of new growth industries and customized local job measures, we are aiming to create 600,000 jobs during my term. In 2023, we created about 158,000 jobs, 162,600 jobs in 2024, and this year, we plan to create about 163,200 quality jobs through 199 projects."

He added, "We have expanded the scale of management stabilization funds for small business owners by 9.3% (287.5 billion won) compared to the previous year, and we are promoting the nation's largest local currency project by investing 29.6 billion won in national funds and 105.4 billion won in local funds, the highest among metropolitan cities nationwide."

Mayor Yoo identified the metropolitan landfill site as the top priority issue to resolve during his remaining term. So far, a four-party consultative body consisting of Incheon City, Gyeonggi Province, Seoul City, and the Ministry of Environment has failed three times to find an alternative landfill site, and a fourth round of bidding is underway until October 10. However, skepticism remains high.

He explained, "In the fourth round, not only local governments but also private entities can apply, and the requirement for 'prior consent of more than 50% of residents' has been removed. The minimum site area requirement has also been significantly reduced from 900,000 square meters to 500,000 square meters."

He continued, "If the fourth round fails, I have made it clear that we will no longer use the bidding method. So let's wait until the end of the bidding period. If the bidding fails, we have several contingency plans, but for now, it is crucial that the application process succeeds, so support and attention from the media, political circles, and residents are needed."

He also emphasized, "For the fourth round of bidding to ultimately succeed, the central government must play a leading role, such as establishing a dedicated organization within the Presidential Office. We plan to continue working with local politicians and civic groups to demand the establishment of a pan-governmental support system." The metropolitan landfill site, which opened in 1992, was originally intended for use only until 2016, but it is still in operation as no alternative site has been found.

Incheon Mayor Yoo Jungbok is sending the first half-price parcel at the 'Small Business Half-Price Delivery Support Project' opening event held at Incheon City Hall Station on Incheon Subway Line 1. 2024.10.28 Incheon City

Regarding the bid to host the 'Formula One (F1) Grand Prix,' which has faced opposition due to concerns over 'waste of taxpayer money' and 'traffic congestion,' Mayor Yoo said, "It could become a representative global mega-event for Incheon and Korea, offering significant benefits," and suggested waiting for the results of the preliminary feasibility study.

He expressed optimism, stating, "With convenient transportation networks such as Incheon International Airport and Incheon Port, Incheon has excellent accessibility for international tourists, and it also has numerous high-end accommodations, including integrated casino resorts, making it the ideal location for hosting the F1. In particular, with a metropolitan area population of over 26 million, the conditions for a successful event are more than sufficient."

He also highlighted that hosting the F1 Grand Prix once would allow Incheon to hold the event for five to ten years or more, ensuring sustained economic benefits. For example, the Las Vegas Grand Prix in November 2023 attracted over 300,000 tourists and generated an estimated economic impact of 1.75 trillion won (1.3 billion dollars).

Incheon will also undergo administrative restructuring starting July 1 next year. The current Jung-gu and Dong-gu districts will be reorganized into 'Yeongjong-gu,' centered on Yeongjongdo, and 'Jemulpo-gu,' covering the inland areas of Jung-gu and Dong-gu. Additionally, Seo-gu and Geomdan-gu will be separated, expanding the administrative structure from two counties and eight districts to two counties and nine districts, which has been in place since 1995.

Mayor Yoo emphasized, "To achieve the goals of 'improving residents' convenience' and 'balanced regional development' through administrative restructuring, government financial support is essential. Therefore, we are closely coordinating with relevant ministries and the National Assembly to amend related laws. Through this restructuring, we will lay the foundation for revitalizing the old city center, promoting balanced regional development, and implementing customized development strategies for mutual growth."