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With the administrative division of Incheon’s Yeongjong area scheduled for July 1, Kim Jeong-heon — currently mayor of Jung-gu, Incheon and the candidate for the new Yeongjong district — outlined six core visions for the area’s development.
On May 12, Kim said he plans to transform Yeongjong into a self-sustaining international city that blends aviation, tourism and advanced industries, placing expansion of the local economic base at the top of his agenda.
He labeled Yeongjong a “global air city” and emphasized plans to develop an advanced industrial ecosystem spanning aircraft maintenance (MRO), urban air mobility (UAM) and the biotech and life-sciences sectors.
He also proposes expanding tourism by integrating large resort complexes with cultural content, strengthening MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions) capabilities, and revitalizing neighborhood commercial districts.
On transportation, he proposed improving access to Seoul by advancing a second airport rail line, establishing a new Haneul City station, expanding GTX express routes, and directly linking the airport railroad with Seoul Subway Line 9 to better connect Yeongjong to key metropolitan hubs.
He said he is also considering the introduction of trams and the creation of a loop public-transit system to address internal congestion.
Expanding medical infrastructure is another key pledge. Kim said he will pursue the attraction of university-level hospitals capable of emergency and critical care and expand 24-hour hospitals and late-night pharmacies to close gaps in medical services.
He plans to strengthen public-health functions at the new health center by adding specialized staff and modern equipment.
His education and childcare proposals include expanding 24-hour care centers to support dual-income families and increasing the number of public daycare facilities.
He also aims to attract international schools and boost educational competitiveness through college-admissions support programs and a dedicated online learning platform.
In culture and welfare, he pledged to improve leisure and recreational options by expanding major cultural venues and sports facilities, and to strengthen targeted welfare services for seniors, people with disabilities and single-person households.
Finally, his balanced-development strategy focuses on narrowing the gap between slower-developing neighborhoods and new towns.
He plans to pursue development in the Yongyu and Muui areas, normalize Midan City, relax building-height restrictions, and expand resident-focused administrative services by strengthening local governance functions.
Kim said, “Yeongjong is no longer in the preparation stage; it has entered the implementation phase. Based on economic self-reliance, I will build a framework in which transportation, healthcare, education and welfare develop in balance.”
He stressed the need for mutually beneficial development with Incheon International Airport and said he opposes proposals to reorganize the airport’s core functions.
Incheon — Lee Chun-man, Reporter lcm9504@viva100.com
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