'Ordinance Rejected' Songdo English-Use City Project... Incheon Economic Free Zone Authority Collaborates with IGC University

The Incheon Free Economic Zone Authority is joining forces with foreign universities located in the Incheon Global Campus (IGC) to develop Songdo International City into an English-friendly city.

On the 6th, the Incheon Free Economic Zone Authority announced that it signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the IGC Foundation and five universities to promote the establishment of Songdo International City as an English-friendly city.

Attendees at the signing ceremony included Yoo Byung-yoon, CEO of the IGC Foundation; Arthur H. Lee, President of SUNY Korea; Robert Matz, Representative of George Mason University Korea; Han Tae-joon, President of Ghent University Global Campus; Gregory Hill, Representative of the University of Utah Asia Campus; and Tedd Hill, Headmaster of Chadwick International School Songdo.

The Incheon Free Economic Zone Authority plans to collaborate with these institutions to discover projects related to the English-friendly city initiative and find effective English education methods. To this end, it allocated 530 million KRW for the English-friendly city project this year and will promote events such as a vision proclamation ceremony, festivals, and foreigner-friendly programs.

Jinyong Kim, Head of Incheon Free Economic Zone Authority (center), is taking a commemorative photo after signing a business agreement for the promotion of "English as a Common Language in Songdo International City" with representatives of foreign universities residing in Incheon Global Campus (IGC).
[Photo by Incheon Free Economic Zone Authority]

The Incheon Free Economic Zone Authority planned the creation of an English-friendly city to improve living conditions for foreigners, attract businesses, and promote foreign investment.

However, last month, the Incheon City Council rejected the ordinance to form a committee for promoting the English-friendly city, stating that "the basic concept of an English-friendly city has not been established, and there is no consensus among citizens," which is expected to hinder the project's progress.

Korean language organizations also expressed opposition during the legislative notice period of the Incheon City ordinance, arguing that "if citizens are forcibly exposed to an English-speaking environment, their right to pursue happiness may be infringed." Previously, in October last year, the project failed to pass internal review within Incheon City after commissioning an external research service.

The Incheon Free Economic Zone Authority has decided to proceed with the English-friendly city project independently without forming a committee for the time being.

Kim Jin-yong, Commissioner of the Authority, stated, "To become a world-class city leading the leap forward, the Incheon Free Economic Zone needs a mid- to long-term approach to improve living conditions for foreigners. As part of this, through this agreement, we will focus on expanding the English-friendly city concept linked with the local community and discovering related projects."

Panoramic view of Songdo International City [Photo provided by Incheon Free Economic Zone Authority]

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