Park In-seo takes office as head of Incheon Port Authority, pledges to boost competitiveness through inner harbor redevelopment and smart-port development

【Financial News, Incheon—Han Gab-soo, reporter】 Park In-seo, former vice mayor for balanced development and political affairs of Incheon Metropolitan City (67, pictured) has taken office.
At his inauguration ceremony on the 2nd, Park identified redevelopment of Piers 1 and 8 in the inner harbor, building a smart port, attracting investment and diversifying cargo volumes as key priorities, and said he would work to strengthen Incheon Port's competitiveness.
Park first identified the redevelopment of Piers 1 and 8 in Incheon’s inner harbor as a major issue for Incheon Port. Since the project is a long-standing civic aspiration that would return aging port facilities to the public and revitalize the old downtown, the plan is to pursue an environmentally friendly redevelopment model that reflects Incheon’s identity.
The AI Auto Valley project, which has been stalled for a long time, will be revitalized as soon as possible. The plan is also to attract investment to raise the value of unsold land at Golden Harbor and sell it early.
The Incheon New Port Phase 1-2 Container Terminal will open on schedule in cooperation with its operator, and the foundation for a smart port will be strengthened. In addition, to address the port’s dependence on cargo volume with China, which accounts for 64% of the total, the plan is to expand shipping routes and trade coverage into emerging markets such as Southeast Asia and Africa.
In 2024, Incheon Port recorded an all-time high of 3.55 million TEUs in container cargo volume, establishing itself as the country’s second-largest port. It also achieved zero serious accidents for five consecutive years, but trade uncertainty stemming from tensions between the United States and China and intensifying global competition in smart ports remain challenges to be addressed.
Immediately after the inauguration ceremony, Park visited the site of the inner harbor Piers 1 and 8 redevelopment project to review its progress and key issues. He then visited Incheon Port’s lock facilities and a repair site, inspected facility and safety management, and called for measures to ensure workers’ safety.
Park, who is from Incheon, joined Korea Land and Housing Corporation (LH) in 1985 and served as head of its Incheon Regional Headquarters, among other roles. He later served as president of Incheon Metropolitan City Development Corporation (iH), vice mayor for balanced development and political affairs of Incheon Metropolitan City, and full-time vice chairman of the Incheon Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The term is three years, starting on the 2nd.

[email protected] Han Gab-soo Reporter