2026.10.08. The Fair Economy — Mayor Park Chan-dae of Incheon presented the concept of 'Incheon re-rating' at a press briefing on his 100th day in office. However, issues such as the Incheon e-eum cashback program, which was halted just ten days after his inauguration, the close associate controversy, and undisclosed briefing reports remain as challenges.
During a press conference held at the Incheon City Hall main conference room on the 7th, Mayor Park defined Incheon as an 'undervalued blue-chip stock.' He cited the city's airport, ports, bio cluster, and population of 3.05 million citizens as key assets. He stated his intention to help the city find its true value by overcoming structural constraints such as metropolitan area regulations and being a border region. He presented three major directions: fostering future industries, balanced development, and public welfare. He also introduced an 'ABC+E' strategy—combining Artificial Intelligence (AI), Bio, Contents, and Energy—and proposed hosting the 2028 G20 Summit.
As achievements, he highlighted fiscal normalization and expanded cooperation with the central government. Immediately after taking office, he activated a Fiscal Budget Reform Task Force (TF) to review expenditure structures and reallocated resources through supplementary budgets. The city explained that for the first time ever, over 7 trillion won (7.0863 trillion won) in national funds was reflected in next year's government budget proposal. Other achievements included being selected as a cultural leading industrial complex for the Namdong Industrial Complex (worth 58.7 billion won) and being designated as a pilot district for renovating aging planned cities.
Over the 100 days since taking office, numerous tasks have accumulated.
First is the issue of fulfilling campaign pledges. During the election, Mayor Park promised to launch a '100-Day Public Welfare Recovery Project' immediately upon taking office and to expand the operation of Incheon e-Eum. However, due to budget shortages, cashback payments were suspended just ten days after his inauguration. Although cashback resumed ahead of the Chuseok holiday with 77.9 billion won reflected in a supplementary budget, the gap between the expansion pledge and the initial policy remains.
Explaining the fiscal issues to citizens is also a challenge. The transition committee estimated a potential fiscal burden of 5.5 trillion won under the eighth term of the direct election policy, and Mayor Park highlighted the fiscal crisis immediately after taking office. Fiscal normalization is deemed inevitable. However, since livelihood promises were adjusted due to fiscal constraints, it remains necessary to explain which promises will be implemented when and with what resources in a way that citizens can understand.
Criticism also arose regarding communication methods. Immediately after his inauguration, the mayor conducted work reports and some major meetings behind closed doors, leading to insufficient communication with citizens and the media. Various media outlets reported that the principle of non-public work reports contradicts the administration's emphasis on communication. The city maintains that premature disclosure could cause confusion and intends to strengthen communication moving forward.
There are also evaluations that he has established a 'inner circle system,' with former National Assembly aides and transition committee members being appointed to political roles and key open positions in succession. While the appointment of close aides itself cannot be definitively labeled as a problem, verification is needed on how to ensure independence and expertise in auditing and policy decision-making.
On the day after the briefing, on the 8th, the Incheon Economic Justice Practice Citizens' Alliance (Incheon Gyeong-sil-ryeon) issued a commentary demanding that Mayor Park disclose which projects will be undertaken with the restructured finances. They argued that, having halted the first priority governance task, the 100-day livelihood recovery project, a detailed implementation plan for the promises must be presented. They pointed out that he failed to explain why cash-based welfare benefits, which citizens were receiving, were also discontinued.
Causes of the tax revenue shortfall were cited as a sharp drop in acquisition tax due to the real estate market slump and a 500 billion won decrease in local allocation tax due to the government's establishment of the Future Response Fund. It criticized the administration for failing to find solutions despite government-related factors. It also noted that while the city attempted to resolve fiscal difficulties with a 350 billion won co-prosperity fund from Hana Financial Group, it is uncertain whether the financial institution that failed to be selected as the city's depository will honor the agreement.
The administration's response to the government's plan for public institution functional reform was also questioned. Mayor Park faced criticism for appearing to represent the government's logic when he told a media outlet, 'I welcome the direction of fostering regional airports according to their specific characteristics.'
Regarding personnel issues, the controversy over Song Hyeon-seok, Incheon City's Chief Policy Officer who led the Fiscal Budget Reform TF, was noted for potential exceeding of authority. Controversy also arose around Jeon Gi-eun, the Incheon City Chief of Staff, who sent condolence money via bank account to reporters following a grandmother's passing. The Incheon CCEJ demanded audits and accountability, urging the city to appoint talented individuals from Incheon.
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