Motion Control Production Base in Songdo

Animotion Tech Co., Ltd., a specialist in advanced automation equipment and components, has completed construction of its new headquarters in Songdo International City and officially commenced operations.

The Incheon Free Economic Zone Authority (IFEZA) announced that a completion ceremony was held on April 15 at the company’s new facility in the Songdo Knowledge Information Industrial Complex. Built on a 5,414 ㎡ site, the project was developed through a foreign direct investment (FDI) partnership with U.S.-based Aerotech.

The new facility serves as an integrated production and R&D hub equipped to manufacture high-precision motion-control and laser-processing components. Leveraging the new base, Animotion Tech plans to advance its technologies, reduce Korea’s dependence on imported industrial equipment components, and expand its presence in global markets.

IFEZA stated that it will continue to support the company’s growth and integration into Songdo’s advanced manufacturing and technology ecosystem.

BMW Korea Launches Customer-Driven Limited Edition Project

BMW Korea recently held its “2026 Build Your Own BMW Edition” campaign, an interactive online project that allows customers to create and vote for their preferred limited-edition BMW model.

Participants selected their preferred vehicle models and specifications, with the most popular configurations scheduled for release as actual limited-edition vehicles.

The project featured seven BMW M high-performance models, including the M2 Coupe, M3 Competition M xDrive, M3 Competition M xDrive Touring, M4 Competition M xDrive Coupe, M4 Competition M xDrive Convertible, M5, and M5 Touring.

Customers could customize exterior colors, interior finishes, wheels, and performance parts, creating up to 1,002 possible combinations depending on the model. This year’s edition also introduced a new configuration feature that reflected selected options in real time through vehicle images.

BMW Korea recorded approximately 6,000 votes in last year’s campaign, with all three customer-selected limited editions selling out within one minute of release. Voting was held on BMW Shop Online through June 7, and the top three configurations will be released as online-exclusive limited editions later this year.

GCF and GGGI Hold First Joint Conference to Strengthen Global Climate Cooperation

The Green Climate Fund (GCF) and the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) have jointly hosted their first large-scale conference since their establishment, marking a new step toward deeper global climate cooperation. While GGGI focuses on policy design, project development, and investment, GCF provides climate finance. Korea is the only country to host the headquarters of both organizations, with GGGI based in Seoul and GCF in Songdo, Incheon. As a global hub connecting climate policy, technology, and finance, Korea’s role in advancing international climate cooperation is drawing increasing attention. Held on May 21, the conference explored ways to expand participation in climate projects across developing countries and to identify opportunities for Korean companies and financial institutions to engage in global climate initiatives. The event represented a significant milestone in connecting policy, technology, and finance within the international climate cooperation framework. During working sessions, participants discussed practical pathways for Korean businesses and financial institutions to leverage international organizations’ networks and financing mechanisms to participate in climate projects worldwide. GCF highlighted its expanding support for private-sector participation through loans, equity investments, guarantees, and grants, while GGGI showcased its role in project development and policy implementation. Both organizations pledged to strengthen collaboration further and promote greater private-sector engagement in global climate initiatives.

Incheon Global Campus Expands Student Recruitment Efforts in Mongolia

Incheon Global Campus (IGC) has stepped up efforts to attract talented students from Mongolia’s growing higher education market.

The Incheon Global Campus Foundation announced that a delegation visited Ulaanbaatar from May 20 to 23 to conduct a series of recruitment and partnership activities.

Mongolia has emerged as a promising market due to its youthful population structure and strong interest in Korean culture. Approximately 46 percent of the country’s population is under 25, while demand for overseas education continues to grow. In addition, around 176,000 Mongolians visit Korea annually, reflecting active people-to-people exchanges between the two countries.

The delegation highlighted IGC’s distinctive appeal: enabling students to earn degrees from leading U.S. and European universities while living and studying safely in Korea.

During the visit, IGC representatives held discussions with Mongolia’s General Authority for Education and signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Bayangol District in Ulaanbaatar to foster outstanding talent.

The agreement includes cooperation on the sharing of admissions information and income-linked scholarship programs. IGC plans to host a delegation of Mongolian education officials in Songdo this June and to participate in a major university fair in Mongolia this October to strengthen recruitment efforts further.

SK bioscience Partners with Colombia on Vaccine Technology Transfer

SK bioscience has signed an agreement with Colombia’s state-owned pharmaceutical company, VECOL, to collaborate on vaccine technology transfer and local production, expanding its presence in the Latin American market. The partnership is part of the company’s “glocalization” strategy, which goes beyond exports to establish local manufacturing and technology transfer capabilities. The initiative is being led by Colombia’s Ministry of Health and Social Protection in cooperation with the National Institute of Health (INS) and VECOL. The national vaccine localization project is expected to receive approximately USD 260 million (KRW 350 billion) in investment over the next decade. Following a four-year evaluation process, the Colombian government selected SK bioscience as its strategic partner. Under the agreement, SK bioscience will provide manufacturing and operational know-how, while VECOL will oversee facility construction, regulatory approvals, and integration with Colombia’s national immunization program. The initial technology transfer will focus on SKYVaricella, SK bioscience’s proprietary varicella vaccine. The company is also exploring opportunities to expand the collaboration to additional vaccine products and has secured preferential negotiation rights for future products to be introduced through the facility. Separately, SK bioscience received a request from the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) to supply Colombia with 950,000 doses of SKYVaricella this year and has already secured a final purchase order for 600,000 doses.

Celltrion Strengthens Competitiveness Through AI-Based Innovation

Celltrion is accelerating the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) across three major business areas—drug development, manufacturing, and office operations—to strengthen its competitiveness in the global pharmaceutical industry.

Drug development is currently the most active area of AI application. Last year, the company established a dedicated AI-driven drug discovery team and has been expanding candidate identification and validation processes using bioinformatics and AI technologies.

The initiative is expected to shorten drug development timelines, which typically exceed 10 years, while reducing associated costs.

In manufacturing, Celltrion plans to implement a physical AI-based smart factory system at its upcoming API Plants 4 and 5 in Songdo. The facilities will incorporate autonomous mobile robots (AMRs), automated logistics warehouses, intelligent robotic arms, collaborative robots, and advanced manufacturing management software to maximize automation and production efficiency.

The company is also utilizing AI for data analysis and business insights across office operations and plans to expand workflow automation significantly beginning this year.

A Celltrion official said, “We will continue strengthening our position as a global top-tier pharmaceutical company through AI-driven innovation across research, production, and office operations.”

Incheon, GCF, and International School Hold Food Donation Drive for Seniors Living Alone

Incheon Metropolitan City announced that it held the second GCF Food Drive on May 20 at Namdong Senior Welfare Center in partnership with the Green Climate Fund (GCF) and Calvin Manitoba International School (CMIS).

The initiative was launched for the second consecutive year as a collaborative program that connects international organizations’ resources with local community care efforts.

Donated food items were collected throughout March through voluntary participation by GCF staff, CMIS students, and faculty members.

A total of 52 donation boxes were assembled this year, larger than last year’s campaign, containing 1,714 food items, including canned goods and shelf-stable milk. The items will be distributed to low-income senior households living alone through the Namdong Senior Welfare Center.

Since establishing its headquarters in Songdo’s G-Tower in 2013, GCF has grown into a major international organization addressing climate change, employing approximately 400 professionals worldwide.

An official from Incheon Metropolitan City’s Environment Bureau stated, “We sincerely appreciate the generosity of GCF staff and international school students who participated in this year’s campaign. We will continue working closely with international organizations to develop initiatives that provide practical support to local communities.”