IFEZ Journal

IFEZ’s Activities 

Leading Innovative Growth

IFEZ is doing its best to become a future global city by attracting investments from various angles. 

IFEZ’s activities leading innovative growth are as follows.

#01 2023.05.03.

CES 2023 Innovation Award-Winning Company Conference

On May 3, Kim Jin-yong, the commissioner of IFEZ, had a meeting at Incheon Startup Park to congratulate startups that won innovation awards at CES 2023. On that day, the conference was attended by key actors from five award-winning companies, including SC-MEMS, Microsystems, Curing Innos, Verses, and CLROBUR, along with many startups with hopes of attending CES 2024. CES (the Consumer Electronics Show) is the world’s largest electronics exhibition, held annually in Las Vegas, USA. It is one of the world’s top 3 information technology (IT) exhibitions, where visitors can grasp the global market trends and technology trends at a glance, and it is evaluated as a prime venue for various innovative technology contests. The Incheon Free Economic Zone Authority plans to provide full support in terms of exhibitions (booths, logistics, air transport and lodging, interpretation, etc.) and programs (networking, performance briefing, etc.) to startups located in Incheon and hoping to participate in CES 2024. Commissioner Kim Jin-yong said, “I pay tribute to the passion and efforts of the executives and employees of the startups that won the Best Innovation Award at this year’s CES.” He also added, “I will give full support to the many startups across Incheon offering various innovative technologies and hoping to participate in next year’s CES and to achieve good results.”

He then promised, “The growth of startups and their entry into the global market will serve as a stepping stone for revitalizing the local economy and creating jobs. I will continue to actively work hard to foster innovative startups.”

#02 2023.05.12.

Kim Jin-yong, Commissioner of IFEZ, Wins ‘Global CEO Management Award’

Kim Jin-yong, commissioner of IFEZ, was awarded the “2023 Global CEO Management Award” from the Korea Academy of International Business, a representative academic organization related to business administration in Korea. Commissioner Kim recently became the first reappointed IFEZ commissioner; he served as IFEZ’s 5th commissioner from 2017 to 2019 and was inaugurated again as the 7th commissioner last year. The award was given in recognition of his contributions to developing IFEZ into a 21st century global business center. As an example, he is driving innovative growth by attracting investment in key strategic industries, contributing to the creation of an industrial ecosystem, such as by expanding Songdo Bio Cluster, leading the creation of Songdo Waterfront, promoting Phase 2 Construction of Arts Center Incheon, etc.

#03 2023.04.21.

IFEZ Signs MOU with Hyundai-Steel for Mutual Cooperation, such as by Contributing to the Local Community

On April 21, IFEZ signed an MOU with Hyundai-Steel Co., Ltd. to promote joint cooperation in the social contribution project of H Steel Atelier. The MOU outlines the following: donation and installation of public artworks made of iron (four pieces) in Songdo International City’s Central Park, building a cooperative system for realizing art’s value and contributing to local communities, offering support for civic engagement programs, spreading mutual cooperation on all matters related to business progress, etc. In accordance with this MOU, the completion ceremony for four iron sculptures (including three works by emerging artists and one piece by a citizen artist) selected through a contest and to be installed between Songdo Central Park’s “Gale Bridge” and “GCF (Green Climate Fund) Bridge” sometime in July.

#04 2023.05.15

IFEZ Signs Framework Convention for Development of Zones 6 and 8 in Songdo International City

IFEZ signed the framework convention with Bluecore PFV Co., Ltd., the preferred bidder, in relation to the contest for Zones 6 and 8 in Songdo International City. IFEZ started additional negotiations with the preferred bidder in September of last year regarding the negotiation agenda that had passed the City Investment Attraction Planning Committee in March during the 7th popular election, finally reaching an agreement after about eight months. The conclusion of the framework convention is expected to normalize the development of Zones 6 and 8. Through this additional negotiation, the details related to the international design contest for major facilities, such as landmarks, etc., were supplemented.

#05 2023.06.15

City of Incheon Signs Agreement with LH on the Construction of Cheongna City Tower

Incheon Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok and LH (Korea Land and Housing Corporation) CEO Lee Han-jun signed an agreement to promote the Cheongna City Tower construction project. This will be a positive sign for the construction of Cheongna City Tower, which has seen lengthy delays. According to this agreement, LH will select a construction company after calculating the construction cost and will proceed with the construction of the tower. For efficient management and operation of the tower, IFEZ plans to promote services for tower management and operation and site revitalization in line with LH’s construction schedule.

#06 2023.05.03.

IFEZ Signs MOU with the Korean Agency for Technology and Standards on Support for Responding to Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT)

On May 3, IFEZ signed an MOU with the Korean Agency for Technology and Standards, an agency affiliated with the Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Energy, on support for responding to technical barriers to trade (TBT). The MOU includes sharing the latest trends and information on TBT through mutual cooperation, along with support for obtaining overseas certifications. Particularly, for complex overseas certifications, information on the system and procedures will be provided. In addition, the scope of bilateral cooperation has been expanded to provide comprehensive support for acquiring overseas certifications, including resolving grievances, in connection with the Overseas Certification Support Group, which was launched on April 4.

#07 2023.04.20.

IFEZ Signs MOU with ULI Asia Pacific to Attract Investment and Vitalize the Industrial Ecosystem

On April 20, IFEZ signed an MOU with the “Urban Land Institute (ULI) Asia Pacific,” a global urban real estate research organization, for mutual cooperation in investment attraction, development projects, and creation of an innovative ecosystem. The MOU is aimed at mutual cooperation for investment-attraction activities, development projects, and creation of an innovation ecosystem in IFEZ’s key strategic industries, making full use of ULI’s network of domestic and foreign member companies engaged in development projects and ULI’s global platform.

#08 2023.05.11.

Creation of Edison Science Museum and Yoo Hyun-joon Terrace Town in Songdo Zone 6

IFEZ signed an MOU with the tentatively named “Songdo Museum Park SPC,” including Hongik University Professor Yoo Hyun-joon and Son Sung-mok, head of the Charmsori Gramophone Museum, on the creation of the “Edison Science Museum” and “Yoo Hyun-joon Terrace Town.” “Edison Science Museum,” which is planned to be located in Songdo, will be reconstructed as an exhibition that reflects current trends through the use of light, sound, and video, combined with “Media Arts,” taking a step forward from the exhibition format at the current Charmsori Gramophone Museum in Gangneung. 

#09 2023.05.23.

IFEZ Successfully Completes ‘Indoor Self-driving Robot Delivery Demonstration Living Lab’ Project

IFEZ successfully completed the “Citizen-Led Indoor Self-driving Robot Delivery Demonstration Living Lab” project, which was conducted as part of the “2022 Innovative Technology Discovery Project for a Smart City,” hosted by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport. The project outlined the ways forward in the development of robot delivery services by introducing self-driving robot delivery to living logistics and demonstrating these services with citizens in four spots across IFEZ.