President of South Korea Yoon Suk Yeol aims to bolster the aviation and shipping sectors through several initiatives aimed at expanding facilities and infrastructure in the western port city of Incheon.
Yoon Suk Yeol emphasized that enhancing Incheon’s competitiveness serves as a “shortcut” for the nation to make a “big leap” forward.
“We must realize grand innovations in our strategic industries of aviation and shipping using Incheon as a bridgehead,” he stated, promising first to grow the aviation industry around Incheon International Airport, including by building a cutting-edge mixed aviation complex nearby by 2026.
Regarding the shipping industry, the country’s President disclosed plans for increased investment in infrastructure around the Port of Incheon. This includes a substantial investment of around US$760 million in two wharfs at Incheon New Port to transform it into a smart port, incorporating artificial intelligence and self-driving cars for automated cargo loading and unloading operations.
The government will also proceed with the development of a site behind the Incheon Port International Passenger Terminal to launch the Incheon Golden Harbor Project within the first half of the year. The Incheon Golden Harbor Project is expected to involve international cruises, new resorts, hotels and shopping malls, according to Yoon Suk Yeol.
Furthermore, South Korea’s President announced it will open the Great Train Express-B line by 2030 as planned to connect Incheon to Namyangju, northeast of Seoul, via the capital city, and reduce the travel time from Incheon to central Seoul to under 30 minutes.
