Incheon City Changes Administrative System After 31 Years... Launch of 2 Districts and 9 Gu in the 9th Elected Term

'Jeomulpo-gu, Yeongjong-gu, Geomdan-gu Establishment Bill' Passed by National Assembly
Incheon City Launches (Provisional) 'District Establishment Preparation Team' in Full Swing

Incheon City's administrative system will change from 2 counties and 8 districts to 2 counties and 9 districts starting July 2026, when the 9th term of the directly elected government begins. This marks the first reorganization of the 2 counties and 8 districts system maintained since 1995 in 31 years.

On the 10th, Incheon City announced that it will officially begin preparations for the administrative system reorganization following the passage of the "Act on the Establishment of Jemulpo-gu, Yeongjong-gu, and Geomdan-gu in Incheon" through the National Assembly on the 9th.

The bill includes plans to separate and reorganize Jung-gu (population 155,000) and Dong-gu (60,000) of Incheon into Yeongjong-gu (110,000), centered on Yeongjong Island, and Jemulpo-gu (100,000), covering the inland areas of Jung-gu and Dong-gu. Additionally, Seo-gu, with a population of 600,000, will have the Geomdan area separated to create the new Geomdan-gu (210,000), while the remaining Seo-gu area (390,000) will remain unchanged.

Incheon Administrative System Reorganized into 2 Districts and 9 Gu from July 2026 [Provided by Incheon City]

Incheon City has been promoting the administrative system reorganization to address changes in administrative conditions such as population growth, alleviate residents' inconveniences due to the separation of living zones, and establish a foundation for customized regional development. Since its launch as a metropolitan city system in 1995 with a registered population of 2.35 million, Incheon's population increased by 640,000 to approximately 2.99 million as of the end of September last year. In particular, Seo-gu's population has more than doubled since 1995, reaching 620,000, and continues to grow.

Moreover, Jung-gu and Seo-gu face significant resident inconveniences and reduced administrative efficiency due to geographical and living zone separations within the regions. Rapid urban environment changes caused by new town developments have made it difficult to establish strategies for smooth administrative service provision and balanced urban development.

After Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok announced the "Future-oriented Administrative System Reorganization Plan" in August 2022, Incheon City officially proposed the plan to the government following a resident opinion survey last year that showed 84.2% support and the legal procedure of obtaining local council approval. The government recognized the need for reorganization, promptly prepared the bill, and submitted it to the National Assembly. The bill passed the relevant standing committee and plenary session without significant opposition, with cooperation from local lawmakers.

Unlike most administrative system reorganizations driven by the central government until now, the Incheon-type administrative system reorganization is significant in that the local government led the process according to regional characteristics and needs, in line with the decentralization policy.

The bill will be finalized as law upon approval by the State Council and the President's sanction. Accordingly, from July 1, 2026, the date the law takes effect and the 9th term of the directly elected government begins, Incheon City's administrative system will newly launch as 2 counties and 9 districts instead of the current 2 counties and 8 districts.

Once the law is promulgated, Incheon City plans to activate a (provisional) "District Establishment Preparation Team." The team will handle adjustments to autonomous district organizations and personnel, legal and administrative dong adjustments, transfer of duties and assets, revision of autonomous regulations, preparation of financial adjustment plans, establishment of information and communication systems, and maintenance of signboards.

Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok of Incheon said, "The Incheon-type administrative system reorganization was made possible through the strong demands and support of local residents and bipartisan cooperation from the central government, political circles, and the National Assembly. We will make every effort in advance preparations so that this administrative system reorganization remains a model case led by local governments."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.