Incheon Metropolitan City is located in the northwest of South Korea. It is bordered by the West Sea to the west, Gangseo-gu in Seoul Special City, Bucheon City in Gyeonggi Province to the east, Siheung City to the southeast, and Kimpo City to the north. Incheon has developed industries such as manufacturing, logistics, and industry centered around Incheon Port and Incheon International Airport. The city hall is located in Namdong-gu, Guwol-dong, and the administrative area consists of 8 districts and 2 counties. In 2003, the Incheon Free Economic Zone Authority was established to oversee Songdo, Cheongna, and Yeongjong districts.
History
The period when people lived in Incheon is estimated to be the Neolithic Age based on various stone tools found in Munaksan, Gyeyangsan, and other areas. Dolmens distributed in Hakik, Juan, and Munhak areas prove that minority groups lived there during the Bronze Age.
Three Kingdoms Period:
Incheon was called Michuhol(미추홀, 彌鄒忽) during the Three Kingdoms Period and served as the capital of the Biyu tribes. The name Michuhol is interpreted as a place by the water or a rough field, meaning a wild area. After the Onjo of Shilla established Wiryeseong(위례성, 慰禮城) as its capital, it was part of Baekje’s territory. However, in 475 AD, Goguryeo’s King Jangsu attacked Baekje, occupied the Han River basin, and established Masoholhyeon(매소홀현, 買召忽縣) in this area. In the mid-6th century, it was occupied by Silla and became part of its territory for about 400 years until the 10th century. After the unification of the Three Kingdoms, in 757 AD (the 16th year of King Gyeongdeok of Silla), it was renamed as Soseonghyeon(소성현, 邵城縣).
Goryeo Dynasty:
During the Goryeo Dynasty, Soseonghyeon was initially part of Suju(수주, 樹州) but was promoted to Gyeongwongun(경원군, 慶源郡), meaning the origin of celebration, in 1105 (the 10th year of King Sukjong’s reign). This was due to the influence of Queen Inye Taehu Lee, who was the wife of King Munjong and the mother of Kings Sunjong, Seonjong, Sukjong, and 10 princes and two princesses. Later, in 1390 (the 2nd year of King Gongyang’s reign), it was renamed as Gyeongwonbu(경원부, 慶源府) as the seventh capital city. During the reigns from King Munjong to King Injong, five queens (Queen Inye, Queen Ingyeong, Queen Injeol, Queen Sasuk, and Queen Sundeok) and five kings (King Sunjong, King Seonjong, King Heonjong, King Sukjong, and King Injong) were from the Inju Lee family.
In the 13th century, when the Mongol Empire invaded Goryeo, the government moved the capital from Gaegyeong to Ganghwado in 1232 (the 19th year of King Gojong’s reign) to resist the invasion. During this time, Goryeo compiled the Eighty Thousand Tripitaka to overcome national chaos with the power of Buddhism. Ganghwa was known as Gangdo, serving as the capital of Goryeo for 38 years until it moved back to Gaegyeong in 1270 (the 11th year of King Wonjong’s reign). During the Sambyeolcho Revolt after returning to Gaegyeong, Sambyeolcho attacked Annamdo-hobu, dealing a significant blow. When Goryeo built Ganghwado into a fortress, many changes occurred, including the construction of the royal palace and city walls and extensive reclamation projects to secure farmland. The area of Ganghwado expanded significantly, and what was originally two islands became one.
Joseon Dynasty:
In 1392 (the 1st year of King Taejo’s reign), after being established as Inju, in 1413 (the 13th year of King Taejong’s reign), the names of counties and districts under Doho-bu with the characters “州” and “洞” were revised to one of “山” or “川”. As a result, the name “Incheon (仁川)” was created, and this day (October 15th, 1413) has since been celebrated as ‘Incheon Citizens’ Day’ every year.
In 1460 (the 6th year of King Sejo’s reign), Queen Sim, the wife of King Sejong, was elevated to Incheon Doho-bu, which continued until the end of the Joseon Dynasty.
In 1875, the Unsödō incident occurred, and the following year, with the signing of the Ganghwa Treaty, the opening of ports was decided along with Busan and Wonsan. In 1883 (the 20th year of King Gojong’s reign), with the opening of Jemulpo, the Incheon Commissioner’s Office was established there, effectively moving the administrative center from Gwangyo-dong to Jemulpo.
In 1895 (the 32nd year of King Gojong’s reign), as part of the Gabo Reform’s local governance restructuring, the country was reorganized into 23 districts, with Incheon becoming Incheon-bu (仁川府). In 1896 (the 1st year of the Gwangmu Era), it became part of Gyeonggi Province again. The area that now encompasses Hakik-dong, Munhak-dong, Gwangyo-dong, and Seonhak-dong was formerly Incheon-bu’s Bunaemyeon. It was renamed Incheon-bu Gu’eupmyeon in 1906, and the name was changed to the port (now Incheon Jung-gu) that was part of the then-myeon.
Changes in Administrative Districts
- 1896: Incheon-bu was established.
- September 18, 1899: The Gyeongin Line, the first railway line in the Korean Peninsula, was opened from Incheon.
- 1906: The area around the port, which was part of Daso-myeon, was divided into Bunaemyeon. The area including Gwangyo-dong was renamed ‘Gu’eupmyeon’, and the Ipo-myeon area was transferred to Namyang County.
- October 1, 1910: Japan announced a decree maintaining the new jurisdictional area of Incheon-bu, established following the forced annexation of the Korean Empire on August 29, 1910, as part of the existing Incheon-bu.
- April 1, 1914: Incheon-bu was divided, with only the downtown area around the port designated as Incheon-bu, while the rest of Incheon-bu and Bupyeong-gun were reorganized into Bucheon-gun.
- October 1, 1936: Daju-myeon in Bucheon-gun (parts of Dohwari, Janguir, Yongjeongri, Sachungri, parts of Ganseokri) and part of Munhak-myeon (parts of Okgan, Hakikri, Gwanggyo-ri, Seunggiri) were re-incorporated into Incheon-bu. At this time, parts of Ganseok-ri, Gwanggyo-ri, and Seunggi-ri were incorporated into Juanjung, which still constitutes part of Juan-dong.
- April 1, 1940: Munhak-myeon, Namdong-myeon, Bunaemyeon, and Seogot-myeon in Bucheon-gun were (re)incorporated into Incheon-bu.
- October 10, 1945: Incheon-bu was renamed Jemulpo-si.
- October 27, 1945: Jemulpo-si was reverted to Incheon-bu.
- January 1, 1946: Japanese-style town names were revised.
- August 15, 1949: Incheon-bu was renamed Incheon-si.
- July 4, 1950: Nine days after the outbreak of the Korean War, it was occupied by North Korean forces.
- September 15, 1950: It was recaptured through the Incheon Landing Operation.
- January 1, 1963: Ungnam-ri, Yeongjong-myeon in Bucheon-gun, was incorporated into Incheon-si.
- January 1, 1968: Jung-gu, Dong-gu, Nam-gu, and Buk-gu were established.
- July 1, 1981: Incheon Metropolitan City was established as a directly governed city covering the entire area of Gyeonggi-do Incheon.
- January 1, 1988: Seo-gu was separated from Buk-gu, and Namdong-gu was separated from Nam-gu.
- January 1, 1989: Gyeyang-myeon in Kimpo-gun was incorporated into Buk-gu, and Yeongjong-myeon and Yongyu-myeon in Ongjin-gun were incorporated into Jung-gu.
- January 1, 1995: Renamed to Incheon Metropolitan City.
- March 1, 1995: Ongjin-gun, Ganghwa-gun, and Geomdan-myeon in Kimpo-gun (incorporated into Seo-gu) were incorporated into Incheon Metropolitan City, and Buk-gu was split into Bupyeong-gu and Gyeyang-gu, while Nam-gu was split into Yeonsu-gu.
- July 1, 2018: Nam-gu was renamed to Michuhol-gu.
- January 2024: The population registered in Incheon Metropolitan City surpassed 3 million.
- July 1, 2026: Jung-gu and Dong-gu of Incheon Metropolitan City will be abolished, and Jemulpo-gu, Yeongjong-gu, and Geomdan-gu will be established.
Economic Free Zones
Incheon is divided into three areas: Songdo, Cheongna, and Yeongjong, with a total area of 132.9 km2, including Incheon International Airport and seaport. It aims to develop as a hub for logistics, business, leisure, and tourism industries in Northeast Asia. It was officially designated by the South Korean government in 2003, making it the first in the country. Within one hour from major cities in the capital area, it is centrally connected to China and Japan, accessible within two hours. Also, it has a hinterland market with more than 100 million people in cities reachable within a three-hour flight, totaling approximately 2 billion people.
Songdo International City:
Songdo International City is located in Songdo-dong, Yeonsu-gu, as part of the Incheon Free Economic Zone, and it is being constructed by landfilling the reclaimed land near Songdo-dong in Yeonsu-gu, with completion targeted for 2020. It is specialized in international finance, trade, knowledge-based industries, and eco-friendly residential areas, with plans to accommodate a population of 252,000 over 13,162 acres. It includes facilities such as Central Park, Northeast Asia Trade Tower, Songdo Convensia, and G Tower. Educational institutions like Incheon Global Campus (IGC), housing universities such as Incheon National University, Yonsei University International Campus, SUNY Korea, and Ghent University are also located there. As of July 2016, the population was over 103,000.
Yeongjong District:
With an area of 13,833 hectares, Yeongjong District is developed as an eco-friendly airport city by 2020. It is planned as a specialized area for employees and visitors working at Incheon International Airport, as well as for those in the logistics industry. It is optimized for logistics and tourism industries integrated with Incheon International Airport. It is planned to accommodate a population of 144,800, with completion targeted for 2016.
Cheongna International City:
Located in Seo-gu, Cheongna International City includes a residential area in the form of a new city, along with theme parks, sports facilities, botanical gardens, and a focus on international finance. It is being developed as a hub for international business and leisure, strategically positioned as a coastal city with excellent access to major transportation routes connecting Yeongjong and Seoul, including the Incheon International Airport Expressway, Incheon International Airport Railway, Gyeongin Expressway, and Gyeongin Ara Waterway. The Incheon Asiad Main Stadium, where the opening ceremony of the 17th Asian Games was held in 2014, is located here. In 2016, the registered population exceeded 100,000.
Aviation:
Incheon International Airport, the largest international airport in South Korea, is located on Yeongjong Island in Jung-gu. It opened on March 29, 2001, and is operated by the Incheon International Airport Corporation. About 59.7% of the flights to and from Incheon Airport are operated by South Korean airlines, including Korean Air and Asiana Airlines, while the remaining 40.3% are operated by foreign airlines. Through Incheon Airport, numerous cities worldwide, including Tokyo, Shanghai, New York, Singapore, Hong Kong, London, Paris, Frankfurt, and Osaka, are connected to cities in South Korea, including Seoul, via air transport. Serving as a hub airport in Asia, Incheon Airport provides parking services and is strategically positioned, with over 61 cities with populations of over one million within a 3-hour flight radius, offering significant geographical and economic advantages.
Port:
Incheon Port, the gateway to the capital region via waterways, was first opened in 1883. It serves as an export port, transporting old-model cars and various export goods to foreign countries and accommodating passenger ships traveling between Incheon and China. Currently, it consists of Inner Port, North Port, and South Port. The inland waterway, connecting the Yellow Sea and the Han River, called the Gyeongin Ara Waterway, was opened in 2012. International passenger ships to various cities in the People’s Republic of China operate regularly. Route services from Incheon’s First International Passenger Terminal include Inchon, Qinghuangdao, Yantai, Dalian, and Dandong. In the Second Passenger Terminal, ships operate to Weihai, Qingdao, Tianjin, and along the Luan River. Currently, construction is underway for the new Incheon Port International Passenger Terminal.
Expressways:
Incheon serves as the starting point for four national expressway routes (Gyeongin Expressway, Second Gyeongin Expressway, Yeongdong Expressway, and Incheon International Airport Expressway) and one urban expressway route (Third Gyeongin Urban Expressway). Additionally, the Greater Ring Expressway (Gyeonggi-do) and the Second Greater Ring Expressway (Gyeonggi-do) also pass through eastern Incheon.
In 2009, the 21.38km-long Incheon Bridge, connecting Yeongjong Island and Songdo International City, was opened. Incheon Bridge is the longest bridge in South Korea and the seventh largest in the world.
On March 23, 2017, the section of the Second Greater Ring Expressway passing through Incheon to Gimpo was opened.
Railways:
As one of the first regions in Korea to have railways, several railway lines were opened starting with the Gyeongin Line in 1899, connecting Incheon with Seoul and surrounding areas.
Inter-city railway operations were suspended in segments, including the Gyeongin Line, in 1974 when the subway (Seoul Subway Line 1) began operating. From 2014 to 2018, KTX services were extended to Geomam Station and Incheon International Airport Station via the Incheon International Airport Railroad.
Tourism:
Incheon is known for its iconic foods such as the “sesame noodles” in Hwapyung-dong, Dong-gu, and the “Sinpo fried chicken” and “jajangmyeon” (black bean paste noodles) that originated from Sinpo Market in Sinpo-dong, Jung-gu. There are also many places known for their noodle dishes, reflecting the influence of Chinese culture since the opening of Incheon Port and Incheon’s Chinatown. The area around Incheon’s Jung-gu, including the market street near Incheon Complex Fish Market in Yeonan-dong and the market street at Wolmido in Bukseong-dong, are popular destinations for visitors.
Alongside the opening of the port, modern buildings, including residences and offices, were constructed. One of the representative modern buildings is Dapdong Cathedral, built in 1897.
Bupyeong Station area and Guwol-dong are major commercial districts with various entertainment venues, cinemas, shopping malls, and department stores, attracting a large number of people. The islands of Muuido, Sindodo, Sido, and Silmido are famous tourist spots related to the sea. Among them, Wolmido Culture Street in Bukseong-dong, Jung-gu, is also a popular attraction. Eulwangri Beach in Yeongjong Island, Jung-gu, is the closest beach to the Seoul metropolitan area and attracts many tourists every year.
The Incheon Bridge, completed in October 2009, connects Okryeon-dong in Yeonsu-gu with Yeongjong Island, making it the longest bridge in South Korea and the 7th longest in the world.
In Ganghwa County, there are many cultural heritages from the modern and contemporary history, including the Goryeo Palace Site and Royal Tombs, Ganghwa Anglican Cathedral, the scenes of the battles like Moonsoo Mountain Fortress, Jungjok Mountain Fortress, Choji Mountain Fortress, Gwangseongbo, and the remnants of the Korea-Mongol War.
Recently, Songwol-dong Fairy Tale Village has gained attention through various media, attracting many visitors and contributing to the revitalization of tourism in Dong Incheon. Places like Songdo Central Park and Canal Walk have become popular tourist attractions due to the development of Songdo International City.