Incheon Mayor Yoo Pledges to Make Incheon ‘Super World-Class Metropolis’

Incheon Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok takes an oath as he took office at the 1st “Nanulrae Citizens’ Festival” at the eighth wharf of Incheon Inner Port on July 1.

Incheon Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok has made a comeback with his first public pledge to make Incheon a world-class metropolis.

Mayor Yoo, returning as Incheon mayor four years after he exited the position, disclosed his determination to concentrate his capabilities and experiences on achieving his first public pledge to make Incheon a world-class city and citizens happy.

Mayor Yoo was the youngest elected mayor in the country, among his counterparts across the nation. He served as a lawmaker three times, including a 40-year public office career, including being the minister of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (MAFRA) and the minister of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries (MOF).

Mayor Yoo’s first public pledge, based on his career experiences, involves “Jemulpo Renaissance,” a project to revive the “Old Downtown,” centering around Incheon Inner Port.

The project calls for taking over the ownership of the Incheon Inner Port area covering 1.82 million sq. meters from MOF and having it designated as a free economic zone and developing it into a “harbor city of history, culture, maritime tourism and leisure.”

The project is designed to revive the “Old Downtown,” including the Incheon Inner Port area, which had once served as a center of Incheon until the 1980s but now is deteriorated.

Mayor Yoo met with MOF Minister Cho Seung-hwan, who toured Incheon Port in June 16, and discussed the matter related to the ownership of the Incheon Inner Port area.

Mayor Yoo plans to accelerate efforts to develop Yeongjong, southern part of Ganghwa Island, Songdo and Cheongna, and Sudokwon landfill site into “New Hong Kong City.” Incheon will focus on attracting multinational corporations, foreign investors, and international organizations by capitalizing on the international situation of a need to establish alternative global financial hub to replace Hong Kong.

Under the stewardship of Mayor Yoo, Incheon plans to grow into a global center city with 600,000 jobs and 100,000 startup CEOs.

Mayor Yoo began his term as he paid respects to the Memorial Power in Subong Park on July 1 before he reported to work as mayor.

Incheon Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok gives words of encouragement to officials in charge of measures against the COVID pandemic on July 1. (Photos: Incheon Metropolitan City)

He took time to meet with City Hall cafeteria workers, security guards and cleaners and gave words of encouragement. He also volunteered to serve the elderly by distributing meals to them at the Senior Citizens’ Welfare Hall.

Mayor Yoo’s inauguration ceremony took place at the eighth wharf of Incheon Inner Port at 7p.m. The event coincided with the 1st “Nanulrae Citizens’ Festival.”

Mayor Yoo’s inauguration at Incheon Inner Port, not at City Hall, is a signal for his wiliness to make good on his first public pledge, “Jemulpo Renaissance.”

In his speech, Mayor Yoo stressed “Incheon’s dream” and “the future of Korea,” saying that Incheon is a city with endless potential.

He reconfirmed his willingness to make Incheon a super world-class city. He said he would set balance and creation and communication as three core values.