The Ministry of the Interior and Safety has shifted the operation criteria for the Response Fund for Local Extinction to a 'people-centered' approach starting this year, prompting calls within the Incheon City Council for a more systematic overhaul of strategies to address population decline areas.

Shin Young-hee, a member of the Incheon City Council's Administrative Safety Committee (People Power Party, Ongjin County), stated during the 5-minute free speech at the first plenary meeting of the 306th Incheon City Council temporary session on the 27th, "The Response Fund for Local Extinction is no longer evaluated based on whether facilities are created, but rather on how convincingly the structure leading to population influx, retention, and settlement is designed."

According to the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, this year's Response Fund for Local Extinction will be distributed differentially, applying excellent, S, A, and B grades to 89 population decline areas. The excellent grade will receive 12 billion won, S grade 8.8 billion won, A grade 8 billion won, and B grade 7.2 billion won. The criteria for performance evaluation will be based on how well the potential for population change is demonstrated rather than a simple listing of projects.

Shin pointed out that Incheon's population decline areas are in competition on a national level within this evaluation system. He explained, "While Ganghwa County received a relatively positive evaluation with a plan reflecting the concepts of residential population and stay, Ongjin County, due to its structural characteristics as an island region and low financial independence, has no choice but to prioritize securing basic living infrastructure such as housing, transportation, and medical care."

Population indicators also reflect this gap. As of the end of last year, Incheon's registered population exceeded 3.05 million, an increase of over 30,000 compared to the previous year, marking the highest growth rate among metropolitan governments nationwide. In contrast, Ongjin County's population is about 19,000, which has decreased by approximately 1.8% compared to the previous year, continuing a three-year decline.

Shin stated, "While Incheon's overall population is increasing, it is difficult to see that this growth trend is spreading to the island regions," and pointed out that "areas experiencing structural population decline cannot be addressed solely through responses at the basic local government level."

He further highlighted the gap between policy and practice by citing the rural and fishing village study support ordinance he established. Shin emphasized, "While the system is in place, the lack of adequate living conditions and spaces for families to stay has prevented actual population influx," and added, "People-centered policies can only be effective when housing, education, healthcare, and jobs are designed together."

In response, Shin proposed strengthening Incheon's role as a solution. He stated, "Currently, the Response Fund for Local Extinction has a structure where counties and districts establish plans, and Incheon City compiles them. To respond to an evaluation system that demands people-centered outcomes, Incheon City must shift to a model where it designs strategies in collaboration with population decline areas from the planning stage."

Specifically, he suggested: ▲ strengthening the dedicated task force (TF) function for the Response Fund for Local Extinction ▲ developing customized settlement models reflecting the characteristics of island regions ▲ establishing a mid- to long-term roadmap for population influx.

Shin concluded, "The Response Fund for Local Extinction is not a short-term budget execution but a policy tool for designing the future of the region," and urged that "Ongjin County should be recognized as an important part of Incheon's population strategy, rather than as a peripheral area, and Incheon City should take a more proactive role."

The Incheon Sports Research Center will launch in the first half of this year as an affiliated institution of the Incheon Research Institute. The Incheon City Council plans to eventually transition the center into an independent foundation, nurturing it as a specialized research institution that oversees Incheon’s sports policies.

The Incheon City Council's member research group, the 'Incheon Sports Research Center Establishment Plan Research Group (Representative Member Park Pan-soon),' held its first seminar on the 21st in the Cultural Welfare Committee seminar room to discuss the purpose and operational direction of the center.

Attending the seminar were Representative Member Park Pan-soon (People Power Party, Proportional), Lee Sun-ok (People Power Party, Namdong 2), Lim Kwan-man (People Power Party, Jung-gu 1), Shin Chung-sik (Independent, Seo-gu 4), Park Chang-ho (People Power Party, Proportional), as well as officials from Incheon City, the Incheon Sports Council, and experts in the sports field.

Representative Park stated in his presentation, “The Incheon Sports Research Center will systematically inherit and develop the legacy of the 2014 Incheon Asian Games, and will be responsible for research and development, policy support, and presenting a long-term vision for the promotion of sports in Incheon.”

Representative Park has emphasized the need for a dedicated organization for the Asian Games legacy project, and has been laying the institutional groundwork for the center's establishment through city council questions, administrative audits, related ordinance amendments, and budget securing since 2023.

On this day, Representative Park also presented a phased operational roadmap. He stated, “This year, we will launch as an affiliated center of the Incheon Research Institute, but next year we will strengthen independence through entrustment to a private specialized institution, and after 2028, we must transition into a foundation to fulfill its original functions.”

Professor Lim Sae-mi from Incheon University’s Department of Sports Science, who participated as a discussant, pointed out, “Given the many difficulties faced until the establishment of the center, continuous efforts from related departments are crucial after its launch,” and added, “Entrustment operation is inevitable to secure expertise.”

An official from the Incheon Sports Council suggested, “The budget scale is insufficient compared to the center's role,” and emphasized the need for a collaborative structure to address Incheon’s sports issues together.

Park Hyuk, the head of the Incheon City Cultural and Sports Bureau, stated, “We will do our best to provide administrative support so that the center can launch without any issues in the first half of this year.”

Song Young-gil, the leader of the Pine Tree Party, who was acquitted in the appeal trial regarding the distribution of envelopes of money at the Democratic Party's convention, has effectively begun the process of returning to politics by moving his address to Incheon Gyeonggi-do.

As Song plans to apply for reinstatement to the Democratic Party on the 20th, the political landscape in the Incheon Gyeonggi-do district, where Kim Nam-jun, the presidential spokesperson and a close aide to President Lee Jae-myung, is likely to run in the June by-election, is shifting.

According to political circles on the 19th, Song changed his registered address from Yongsan-gu, Seoul, to an apartment in Byeongbang-dong, Gyeonggi-do.

On the 18th, Song expressed his intention to run in the district while stating, "I will enter the National Assembly to help the Democratic Party, the government, and President Lee," and plans to visit the Incheon City Party of the Democratic Party on the afternoon of the 20th to submit his reinstatement application.

Song's return has emerged as the biggest variable in the by-election for the National Assembly, which will be held alongside the June local elections.

Incheon Gyeonggi-do is Song's political hometown, where he served as a five-term member of the National Assembly, and it is a symbolic place where he resigned from his position after the defeat in the 2022 presidential election, handing over the district to President Lee Jae-myung (then a candidate for party leader).

It is reported that Song's side has been reviewing the restoration of his honor and the return to his political base in Gyeonggi-do as the top priority scenario following this acquittal.

The issue lies within the ruling party's internal coordination. Gyeonggi-do has been a place where the candidacy of Kim Nam-jun, the presidential spokesperson known as President Lee's confidant, has been strongly mentioned.

Spokesperson Kim is a key figure in the 'original pro-Lee (pro-Lee Jae-myung)' group along with former Democratic Research Institute Vice President Kim Yong. In fact, President Lee appeared to support Kim by visiting a church in Gyeonggi-do with him last Christmas.

There are concerns within the party that if a situation arises where a key aide from the Blue House and a former party leader compete for nomination, it could create significant pressure.

The fact that the relationship between Song and President Lee remains amicable is also a factor complicating the nomination calculations.

According to Song, President Lee reportedly called him directly on the day of the acquittal on the 13th, offering words of encouragement such as "You worked hard." During the last presidential election, Song dedicated himself to ensuring President Lee's victory as party leader and even gave up his own district to help President Lee enter the National Assembly, making it difficult for the Blue House to ignore Song's desire to return.

Regarding whether he will run in Gyeonggi-do, Song showed a cautious stance, stating, "If I become a party member, I will discuss it with the party leadership."

Some within the party are discussing the possibility of a chain movement utilizing the district of Representative Park Chan-dae, who recently declared his candidacy for Incheon Mayor, to disperse the candidacies of Song and Spokesperson Kim.

Meanwhile, the Democratic Party leadership plans to decide on Song's reinstatement after receiving his application and going through the Supreme Committee's deliberation.

The People Power Party has confirmed the formation of an ‘innovative’ nomination committee that places 30-40s and women at the forefront ahead of the June 3 local elections and by-elections. Instead of the existing factional and regional allocations, the committee emphasizes generational change and breaking away from vested interests, signaling a major renewal from the nomination stage.

On the 19th, the People Power Party held a Supreme Council meeting and approved the composition plan for the 9th Central Party Nomination Committee for the local elections and the by-elections. This nomination committee, consisting of a total of 10 members including the newly appointed Lee Jung-hyun as chair on the 12th, recorded shocking figures that exceed the party constitution and regulations’ standards for women (30%) and youth (20%) by more than double.

Looking at the members of the nomination committee, the rise of experts born in the 1980s and 90s is remarkable. Young talents with practical skills, such as Song Seo-yul, head of a policy research organization (born in 1989), Lee Dong-gun, evaluation committee member for elected officials (born in 1990), and Hwang Soo-rim, planning director of the Seoul Bar Association (born in 1991), have joined in large numbers. Additionally, women experts like Kim Bo-ram, director of the Korean Policy Association (born in 1983), and Lee Ha-na, adjunct professor at Sungkyunkwan University (born in 1984), have joined, bringing the proportion of those in their 30s and 40s and women to 60% each among the total members.

There are evaluations that they have also broken away from the ‘familiar structure’ of the political world. The number of incumbent lawmakers has been minimized to three, including the ex officio Secretary General Jeong Hee-yong (Vice Chair), Seo Ji-young, head of the Public Relations Department, and Choi Soo-jin, chief spokesperson of the National Assembly. They filled 50% of the committee with external personnel to enhance neutrality, and instead of the usual high-ranking officials from the prosecution and judiciary, they included individuals with diverse backgrounds such as practicing lawyers and graduates of Jeong Kyung-sook.

Chairman Lee Jung-hyun stated through his social media on that day, “This appointment did not consider factions or regions at all, but only whether they could participate in innovative nominations.” He particularly emphasized, “I wanted to bring in individuals without political debt,” and stated, “We will establish criteria for breaking away from authority, cartels, and vested interests to select candidates with future-oriented and competitive qualities.”

There are analyses that this composition of the nomination committee is an unusual attempt that breaks the existing political grammar. By having young and female members lead the practical and rational review, they aim to secure transparency and fairness in the nomination process. Chairman Lee expressed his renewed commitment to innovation, saying, “I am also looking forward to how much they will break the existing political framework and establish fair standards during the primary and interview processes.”

The Ethics Special Committee regarding Council Member Heo Jeong-mi, who is embroiled in controversy over allegations of inappropriate hiring and tax salary payments involving her ex-spouse, will be held tomorrow (20th) at 10 AM.

Previously, eight Bupyeong District Council members, including Jeong Han-sol, submitted a request for disciplinary action against Council Member Heo on the 6th. Chairperson Ahn Ae-gyeong reported this to the plenary session and officially referred it to the Ethics Special Committee, leading to the commencement of a thorough disciplinary review and fact-finding starting tomorrow.

According to a report by the investigative media Newsada, Heo's ex-spouse, Mr. A, received a total of 17.01 million won in tax salary through the Bupyeong District traditional market manager support project from May to November 2025.

The issue lies in the fact that Council Member Heo was serving as the chairperson of the Urban Environment Committee, which directly reviews the plans and budgets for the project. The current 'Conflict of Interest Prevention Act' stipulates that public officials must report and avoid situations where they recognize personal interests, but Council Member Heo is under suspicion of failing to comply with this requirement.

Additional allegations have also emerged. According to Newsada's investigation, Mr. A recorded the lowest score among 41 candidates in the practical test during the hiring of temporary workers at the Bupyeong District Facility Management Corporation last year, yet received an unusually high score in the interview and was ultimately hired. Given that the Facility Management Corporation is an agency under the jurisdiction of Council Member Heo's standing committee, whether there was external pressure or solicitation during the hiring process has become a key issue.

In addition, Council Member Heo is also facing allegations of 'improper use of business promotion expenses' after using a total of 2.43 million won in business promotion expenses at the restaurant of the merchants' association where Mr. A worked as a manager. Notably, it has come to light that even after Mr. A was hired as the traditional market manager, he maintained his title as the head of Council Member Heo's personal business and shared an office, indicating that they were effectively operating as an 'economic community', which has sparked public outrage.

However, it remains uncertain whether the disciplinary review by the Ethics Special Committee will specifically include the allegations regarding the traditional market manager's salary, the hiring process at the corporation, and the business promotion expenses.

So far, Council Member Heo has warned of strong legal action, including lawsuits, against her colleagues' allegations, calling them "defamation." However, civic groups and residents are urging severe disciplinary action, stating, "If the allegations that she supported her ex-spouse's livelihood with taxpayers' money are true, this disqualifies her as a public official."

As the Bupyeong District Council Ethics Special Committee begins its formal review by hearing Council Member Heo's explanation tomorrow, it remains uncertain whether a conclusion will be reached in a single meeting or if multiple meetings will follow. However, attention from the local community is expected to focus on the level of disciplinary action against Council Member Heo.

The Bupyeong District Council Ethics Special Committee consists of Chairperson Jeong Ye-ji, Vice Chairperson Yeo Myeong-ja, and members Yoo Jeong-ok, Lee Ik-seong, Kim Dong-min, Park Young-hoon, Jeong Yu-jeong, and Yoon Gu-young.

Below is the article link from the investigative media Newsada.

Council Member Heo Jeong-mi Receives Salary from Ex-Spouse's Tax

Will the Ethics Special Committee Address Allegations of Council Member Heo Jeong-mi Violating the Conflict of Interest Prevention Act?

Lowest Scorer in Practical Test Gets Hired by Public Corporation, Allegations of Council Member Heo Jeong-mi's Ex-Spouse Hiring

The director of 'Saekdongwon', a residential facility for severely disabled individuals in Ganghwa, Incheon, has been detained before being brought to trial on charges of sexually abusing and assaulting residents.

On the 19th, Chief Judge Nam Se-jin of the Seoul Central District Court issued a detention warrant for Mr. Kim, the director, who is facing charges of rape and sexual assault against disabled individuals under the Sexual Violence Punishment Act and violations of the Welfare of Disabled Persons Act. Judge Nam stated, "There is a concern that evidence may be destroyed or that he may flee," as the reason for issuing the warrant. However, the warrant for staff member A, who was also charged, was dismissed due to a lower necessity for detention.

Director Kim is accused of forcing female disabled residents to engage in sexual intercourse or similar acts under the pretext of life guidance. So far, the investigation has identified at least 6 specific victims.

The police investigation began in May of last year as an internal inquiry and led to a search and seizure of the facility in September of the same year. The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency established the 'Special Investigation Team for the Saekdongwon Incident' last month and is expanding the investigation by conducting a comprehensive survey of all 87 disabled individuals who passed through the facility and 152 staff members.

In a prior in-depth investigation conducted by Ganghwa County, it was reported that a total of 19 individuals, including residents and former residents, stated that they had suffered sexual harm. It is reported that the police submitted key evidence supporting the criminal facts, such as gynecological medical records of those identified as victims, to the court during the warrant review.

After the hearing that afternoon, Mr. Kim remained silent when asked by reporters, "Do you acknowledge the charges?" and "Do you have anything to say to the victims?" as he boarded the transport vehicle.

With Mr. Kim's custody secured, the police plan to intensively investigate the specific circumstances of the crimes while also focusing on any additional victimization that may emerge during the comprehensive survey process.

The Incheon City Council has established a systematic foundation to support firefighters who have dedicated themselves on the front lines of disaster scenes to take care of their health even after retirement, and to effectively guarantee the right to rest for current public officials.

On the 3rd, the Administrative Safety Committee of the Incheon City Council passed the 'Incheon Metropolitan City Ordinance on Supporting Special Health Checkups for Retired Firefighters' and the 'Partial Amendment to the Incheon Metropolitan City Public Officials Service Ordinance,' both proposed by Representative Yoo Seung-bun (People Power Party, Yeonsu 3).

Firefighters nationwide are constantly exposed to physical and mental risks such as exposure to harmful substances and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) due to the nature of their duties. However, after retirement, they have faced difficulties in discovering and managing occupational diseases due to the discontinuation of the special health checkup benefits they enjoyed during their active service.

The newly enacted ordinance stipulates that firefighters who have served for more than 10 years and retired can receive support for special health checkups within 10 years after retirement. Representative Yoo emphasized, "It is the minimum responsibility of society to fill the health gap for those who have dedicated themselves for a long time in dangerous fields."

The service ordinance amendment that was passed on the same day focused on strengthening the practical 'right to rest' for public officials. Key contents include allowing the 'long-term service leave' that was previously lost due to excessive workloads to be carried over to the next period of service. Additionally, a 'birthday leave' system was established, allowing one day of leave to be taken in the month of one's birthday for the morale and recharging of the public service community.

Representative Yoo cautioned against perceptions of special privileges, stating, "This amendment is an essential improvement for creating a sustainable public service environment," and explained, "When the work-life balance of public officials is achieved, the quality of administrative services provided to citizens can also be enhanced."

Criticism has been raised that key development projects in Seo-gu, Incheon, are being filled mainly with residential facilities such as office-tels, contrary to their original purpose. Although the Seo-gu Office has proclaimed 'strengthening institutional consultation rights', there are no concrete implementation plans, leading to accusations of 'performative administration'.

Kim Won-jin, Chair of the Planning and Administrative Committee of the Incheon Seo-gu Council (Democratic Party, Cheongna 1-2-dong), targeted the issues of the Cheongna International City and Geomam Station area development projects during the major work report of the Policy Planning Department at the 278th temporary session held on the 3rd.

Chairman Kim criticized the administration's complacent response while pointing out the current status of the Cheongna International City development. He stated, "Looking at the report on the international financial district project, all we see since 2019 until 2026 is news about the construction of office-tels," and criticized, "The name 'international financial district' is meaningless as commercial and financial facilities are sidelined, and only residential facilities are being established."

He continued, "There is a great concern that the international business district in the Nagu area will also flow towards mixed-use or office-tel developments like the previous Gagu area," emphasizing, "The initial purpose of the project has disappeared, and the current situation where it only serves as residential facilities is a very serious problem."

There was also sharp scrutiny regarding the 'strengthening consultation rights for development projects for balanced development' that the Seo-gu Office revealed in its work report. Chairman Kim pointed out, "It is inappropriate for the responsible department to respond that it is unfortunate that opinions submitted to Incheon City or the Economic Bureau are not accepted," and noted, "There is a lack of a concrete work plan on how to strengthen consultation rights."

He particularly stressed, "To soothe the disappointment of residents due to changes in the Incheon Subway Line 3 route, strengthening communication channels is essential," and demanded, "Regularize meetings involving residents, the Seo-gu Office, and developers when promoting specific development projects, and work together with the council to exert practical influence."

Chairman Kim encouraged proactive administration by mentioning past cases where the district actively voiced its opinions during the naming process of the Third Incheon Bridge. He stated, "For large-scale development projects that are also part of the mayor's pledges to proceed as originally planned or in the direction desired by residents, more thorough reviews are needed," and urged, "Let’s communicate again with the Seo-gu Office regarding the sluggish issues such as the Geomam Station area development."

In response, a district official said, "We will reflect the concerns raised by the council members, enhance our consultation capabilities with related agencies, and prepare specific measures to ensure that residents' opinions are actively reflected."

The legal basis for the establishment of the Incheon Maritime Specialized Court has been secured. The project to attract the maritime court, which has been drifting for nearly ten years since the 20th National Assembly, has been evaluated as having crossed the halfway point by passing the National Assembly's standing committee subcommittee.

The Incheon Metropolitan City announced that the amendments to the 'Court Organization Act' and the 'Law on the Establishment and Jurisdiction of Courts' aimed at establishing the Incheon Maritime Specialized Court passed the first subcommittee of the National Assembly's Legislative and Judiciary Committee on the 3rd.

The establishment of the maritime specialized court has been a long-standing wish of the shipping and port industries, but it has repeatedly failed due to the expiration of the National Assembly's term. However, in the current 22nd National Assembly, local representatives such as Yoon Sang-hyun, Jeong Il-young, Park Chan-dae, and Bae Jun-young have successively proposed the bill, gaining momentum with a total of 32 members of parliament from both parties participating in the joint proposal.

In particular, during the review process last July, both parties agreed to expand jurisdiction not only to maritime cases but also to international commercial disputes, deciding to establish the main offices of the 'Maritime International Commercial Courts' in Incheon and Busan, thus breaking the deadlock. It is also reported that the differences between the Court Administration Office and the Ministry of Justice regarding exclusive jurisdiction, which had been a contentious issue, have been coordinated.

This achievement has been supported by the persistent efforts of the Incheon community. The Incheon City has been visiting the National Assembly regularly with the 'Incheon Maritime Specialized Court Citizens' Movement Headquarters,' composed of the Incheon Bar Association and the port industry, persuading them of the necessity. The enthusiasm for attracting the court, united by a citizens' signature campaign involving one million citizens and relay support declarations, is analyzed to have moved the National Assembly.

Incheon is considered the optimal location for rapid response to maritime disputes with neighboring countries such as China, as it has world-class airports and ports. Once the court is established, it is expected to have economic effects by reducing the annual legal service costs amounting to hundreds of billions of won that have been flowing overseas.

Yoo Jeong-bok, the mayor of Incheon, emphasized, "This result was made possible by the dedicated efforts of 3 million Incheon citizens, the citizens' movement headquarters, and local members of parliament," and added, "We will complete the remaining procedures of passing the full committee and the National Assembly without wavering to grow Incheon into a global legal hub city."

Incheon Metropolitan City is establishing a 'Food Industry Division' within the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries to enhance the overall competitiveness of the local agricultural and food industry. The aim is to proactively respond to the rapidly changing agricultural and food environment and the changing food demands of citizens, establishing a virtuous cycle that connects production to export.

Incheon City announced that it will expand its eco-friendly agricultural infrastructure project more than threefold by 2026 compared to the previous year. The plan is to systematically support the entire process of production, processing, storage, and distribution centered around eco-friendly clusters, aiming for both the scaling and stability of agriculture. Through this, the city plans to induce carbon reduction in agricultural fields and promote the actual stabilization of farmers' income.

The city is also accelerating its entry into overseas markets. It has designated 2026 as the 'Year of Diversifying Agricultural and Food Exports' and plans to expand the consumer touchpoints of representative local agricultural products, such as Ganghwa Island rice, using three permanent sales locations in the Toronto area of Canada. In particular, it aims to cultivate 'export-leading organizations' that support quality control systems and logistics efficiency to increase the export share of high-value-added products.

To secure stable sales channels for local specialty products, both online and offline strategies will be implemented. In the second half of this year, a large-scale sales event called 'Incheon Market' will be held at the Song Sang Platform in Jung-gu to enhance citizen accessibility, and a 'Incheon Premium Agricultural Products Planning Exhibition' linked with large online platforms will target the non-face-to-face consumption market.

Additionally, by collaborating with local governments in the metropolitan area, such as Mapo-gu, Seocho-gu, and Yangcheon-gu, the city will increase participation in direct transaction markets while also strengthening support for the development of traditional liquors and processed foods using local agricultural products.

Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok of Incheon City stated, "The food industry policy for 2026 focuses on creating a virtuous cycle system that connects production, consumption, and export," and added, "We will do our best to provide safe and reliable food to citizens and enhance the global competitiveness of local agriculture."