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 Presenting Seven Future Visions, Including a K-Content City

Last July, IFEZ Commissioner Kim Jin-yong presented seven future visions ahead of IFEZ’s 20th anniversary. The seven visions presented at the general meeting of the Development Advisory Committee to discuss the vision and strategy of IFEZ are the New Hong Kong City Project, International Financial City, 4th Industrial Revolution Corporate City, Global Bio Hub City, Future Smart City, K-Content City, and Tourism & Leisure Hub City. With these visions, Commissioner Kim announced a leap forwards as a first-class city. Specifically, IFEZ aims to establish a city where people worldwide can work and start businesses freely by enacting the Special Law of Global Free Cities of the Future. To this end, they plan to create a 2nd Startup Park to form a 4th Industrial Revolution enterprise city that realizes technologies in six fields (6T) (information, bio, aviation, and culture). Commissioner Kim also mentioned creating the world’s best global bio hub city through K-bio fostering, along with a jump ahead as a production base for K-content. Regarding developing a tourism and leisure hub city, he promised to utilize Incheon’s regional characteristics (Incheon International Airport and 168 islands), the Inspire Entertainment Resort, and the high-rise landmark tower currently being promoted. Incheon Metropolitan City Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok, who attended the event, emphasized, “It is time to seek a breakthrough for the sustainable development of IFEZ. It is more important than ever to bring out the infinite potential of IFEZ.”

#02

Occupational Health and Safety Management System (ISO 45001) International Certification Acquired

IFEZ became the first free economic zone in the country to acquire the “Occupational Health and Safety Management System (ISO 45001) certification” from the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). ISO grants this international standard by carefully examining safety and health management regulations and system-construction status according to management policies. In May last year, IFEZ established an organization dedicated to serious accidents and a safety and health management system. With the ISO certification recognizing its achievement, IFEZ has solidified trust in safety and health among workplace staff and internal/external customers and has enhanced its external status. Meanwhile, the IGC Foundation also obtained the same accreditation. The Incheon Metropolitan Facilities Management Corporation’s Cheongna Park Project Group manages Cheongna Lake Park and has received certification for the environmental management system (ISO 14001).

#03

IFEZ Yeongjong Management Division Moves to a New Building

IFEZ relocated the office of Yeongjong Management Division to Unseo Station. The division was located in the Yeongjong Sky Culture Center, handling various civil affairs, such as real estate, the environment, architecture, and parks in the Yeongjong area (54.3 ㎡) within the free economic zone. However, public transportation problems made access difficult for citizens. To solve this issue, IFEZ invested KRW 1.5 billion to build a new structure with a total floor area of 392 ㎡ on the roof (5th floor) of the Unseo Station public parking lot, which is easily accessible for citizens. Work in the new office building began in May, while the former building will be remodeled and used as a venue for new programs, such as language classes, hobbies, and humanities, beginning in October.

#04

IFEZ Will Attract an Affiliated Marine Research Institute of Ghent University, Belgium

IFEZ signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to attract Marine@Ugent, a marine research institute affiliated with Ghent University in Belgium. Established in 2012, Marine@Ugent is the world’s largest marine convergence research institute, with about 500 professors and researchers. IFEZ has long been negotiating to attract the Marine@Ugent branch to Songdo in order to strengthen Incheon’s status as a maritime city. IFEZ plans to proceed with the Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Energy’s deliberation process based on related business plans. The attraction of Marine@Ugent will significantly contribute to developing marine science technology and the maritime industry in Incheon and Korea by promoting global joint marine research and development (R&D) and fostering new marine sectors.

#05

Youth-Startup Networking Program Successfully Completed

The Youth-Startup Networking Program, hosted by IFEZ and Incheon Startup Park, ended on a high note. This program was designed to strengthen the employment and entrepreneurship capabilities of young people in Incheon and to cultivate professional knowledge. Participants included five companies (DATAIZE, Mobilio, NMOTION, idciti, 21st Century Ad) and 30 young people in Incheon. Starting with Matching Day for young people and startups in July, the program proceeded with various events, such as education to strengthen youth capacities, meetings with personnel managers at large corporations and public institutions, and final presentations. Participants experienced systematic education and on-the-job training for marketing jobs while collaborating with startups. 

#06

IFEZ Signs a Business Agreement with the Korea Association of Hakwon for Songdo as an English-Speaking City

IFEZ signed a mutual business agreement with the Incheon branch of the Korea Association of Hakwon to promote Songdo as an English-speaking city. The main contents of the agreement include forming a consensus on promoting English-speaking cities, joint efforts to discover projects, and seeking ways to cooperate through mutual partnership establishment. The two organizations plan to discuss specific action plans in the future to realize these goals. The project aims to promote investment attraction from companies and convenience in daily life for foreign residents. Accordingly, through this agreement, the organizations intend to consider efficient English education as a strategic preparation for future generations.

#07

IFEZ Hosts a Network of Innovative Growth Platform Experts

IFEZ held the 10th Innovative Growth Platform Working-Level Network, where industry, academia, research institutes, and government experts discussed discovering global corporate talent. The event was attended by working-level staff in the human resources field at representative companies like Samsung Biologics, Celltrion, and POSCO E&C, as well as officials from the Incheon Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Incheon Techno Park, and Incheon Global Campus universities. They shared their opinions on recruitment and had time to explain various systematic programs related to the recruitment process. Through this, the companies, universities, and institutions made a promise to continue consultations with each other so that they can secure and nurture global talent.

#08

Announcing the Establishment of Starfield Cheongna, a Multi-Stadium Shopping mall

#09

Construction of an RC Sports Stadium in Songdo Dalbit Park