On October 10, 2013 (Thursday), Incheon Metropolitan City and the Incheon Free Economic Zone Authority signed an agreement with George Mason University for the opening of Mason Korea at the Incheon Global Campus in Songdo International City. The agreement was made to strengthen the foundation for developing a global education hub by attracting a prestigious overseas university. Mason Korea later received approval from the Ministry of Education in 2014 and began offering undergraduate programs in business and economics, allowing students to complete an integrated course of study in Songdo International City and at the main campus in the United States.