Incheon, South Korea - A heated debate has erupted between Incheon's Jung-gu and Seo-gu districts over the naming of the Third Yeongjong Bridge, a 4.67-kilometer sea bridge connecting Yeongjong International City and Cheongna International City. The bridge is scheduled to open in December 2025.
The Incheon Free Economic Zone Authority announced on November 11th that it plans to finalize the bridge's name through the Incheon City Naming Committee in March or April next year. The authority has been collecting opinions from both Jung-gu and Seo-gu districts.
However, due to the strong opinions from both sides, the authority is considering a public contest to find a neutral name. Once a neutral name is selected, a public opinion survey will be conducted, and the final decision will be made by the naming committee based on the survey results and the preferred names proposed by the two districts.
Jung-gu conducted a survey among its residents in October, with "Yeongjong Sky Bridge" emerging as the most popular choice, garnering 31% of the votes. Other popular options included "Sky Bridge," "Yeongjong Cheongna Bridge," and "Eum Bridge."
Jung-gu officials argue that the bridge should reflect the interests of Yeongjong residents since it primarily serves as a gateway to the mainland for them.
On the other hand, Seo-gu has yet to conduct a survey but is considering doing so. Meanwhile, local politicians and residents from Cheongna have called for the bridge to be named "Cheongna Bridge," arguing that Cheongna residents contributed significantly to the construction costs but would benefit less from the bridge compared to Yeongjong residents.
The Incheon City government has stated that it will convene the naming committee once the Incheon Free Economic Zone Authority submits a formal request.
The naming dispute highlights the complex dynamics between the two districts and the challenges of finding a name that satisfies all stakeholders. The final decision will have significant implications for the identity and perception of the new bridge.
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