Icheon City announces "New Institutions and Systems for 2026"

[Suwon Ilbo = Reporter Um In-yong] Icheon City announced on the 20th the new systems and changes to institutions that are closely related to residents' lives as the city welcomes 2026.

Focusing on city policies as well as central government and Gyeonggi Province policies that residents can experience changes in their daily lives, the city has organized the changes into five sectors for easy understanding: △General Administration (4 items) △Welfare·Health·Women·Childcare·Labor (54 items) △Industry·Economy, Agriculture·Forestry·Livestock (34 items) △Environment·Resources, Urban Planning·Transportation·Construction (13 items) △Disaster Safety, Culture·Sports·Tourism (11 items).

First, in the administrative sector, as on-duty services at all eup, myeon, and dong offices in Icheon City are being eliminated, the opening hours of eup, myeon, and dong Administrative Welfare Centers are being changed.

Weekday opening hours are from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and the centers will be closed on Saturdays and holidays. Civil petition calls outside working hours will be transferred to the City Hall duty office.

Additionally, the validity period of personal customs codes will be introduced, requiring annual renewal after issuance. Starting in March, passport issuance fees will increase by 2,000 won.

In the welfare and childcare sectors, institutional improvements to enhance citizens' living stability and alleviate childcare burdens are being significantly expanded.

As the standard median income increases by 6.51%, minimum living guarantee provisions are being strengthened.

The unit price for meals provided to children at risk of malnutrition has increased from the existing 9,500 won to 10,000 won, and the eligible age for child allowance has been expanded by 12 months—from age 8 to the month before the child's 9th birthday.

Additionally, a mobile disability registration certificate with the same legal effect as a physical registration certificate is being introduced, which is expected to significantly improve disabled persons' mobility rights and convenience.

In addition, unregistered children with immigration backgrounds currently in childcare centers within the city will receive 100,000 won per month in childcare support funds to the respective childcare centers. A paternal leave incentive support project and toy unattended return boxes (at the second Airang Cafe location of the Comprehensive Childcare Support Center) will also be newly operated.

In the industry and economy sectors, policies to assist workers' living stability and stimulate local consumption are being strengthened.

The living wage is being increased from the existing hourly rate of 11,270 won to 11,510 won, and the Icheon Love local currency incentive rate is being adjusted to 8% for regular months and 10% for holiday months.

In the agriculture and livestock sectors, support is being expanded to reduce the burden on agricultural sites and create a sustainable agricultural environment.

A new marker vaccine for swine fever (CSF) is being introduced to all pig farms nationwide, which is expected to improve the antibody identification issues of existing vaccines, reduce vaccination stress, and contribute to productivity improvement.

Furthermore, the eligible age range for special health checkups for women farmers is being expanded from the existing 51-70 years to 51-80 years, and in July, the age restriction for forestry successors will be eliminated.

In the environment, resources, and transportation sectors, the wildlife transaction reporting system and wildlife business permit system have been in effect since December 14 of last year. Starting in February, pay-as-you-throw garbage bags with pictograms and multilingual labeling will be introduced for improved citizen convenience.

Additionally, when reporting or changing motorcycle registration, national license plates will be issued instead of regional license plates with geographic designations. Driver's license renewal periods will be changed from the existing year-round unified method (January 1-December 31) to within six months before and after the holder's birthday.

In the culture and sports sectors, to expand opportunities for cultural enjoyment, the Integrated Culture Card (Culture Nuri Card) support will be expanded from the existing 140,000 won annually to 150,000 won.

Additionally, the Youth Culture and Arts Pass project, which previously limited beneficiaries to age 19, is being expanded to include ages 19 and 20. The number of venues where the pass can be used is also significantly expanding from 2 locations to 7 locations.

The city will publish a booklet titled "New Institutions and Systems for 2026" containing this information and place it in the civil petition offices of City Hall and eup, myeon, and dong Administrative Welfare Centers. The information will also be posted on the city's website (www.icheon.go.kr) to actively promote awareness so that citizens can easily verify and benefit from these changes.