Ordinance championed by Democratic Party lawmaker clears full council session
Relocation of Oknyeon-dong complex gains momentum as residents' long-standing grievance nears resolution
Incheon's used-car export industry — one of the city's core logistics sectors — has announced a sweeping transformation toward an eco-friendly, digital operating model.
The long-delayed relocation and redevelopment of the used-car export complex in Oknyeon-dong, Yeonsu-gu, a persistent source of frustration for local residents, is now expected to gain significant momentum.
The Incheon Metropolitan Council passed the "Ordinance on the Promotion and Support of Incheon's Used-Car Export Industry" at the fifth plenary session of its 313th extraordinary session on Friday, following its introduction by Democratic Party of Korea Lawmaker Jeong Bo-hyeon, who represents Yeonsu-gu District 3.
With the ordinance now in force, Incheon has secured a firm legal and institutional foundation for systematically supporting the used-car export sector.
Incheon has long handled the overwhelming majority of South Korea's used-car exports, but operations centered on the existing Oknyeon-dong complex have been hampered by aging infrastructure and the small scale of individual operators.
Particularly troublesome for nearby residents has been the daily disruption caused by vehicles awaiting export — illegal parking, noise, dust and chronic traffic congestion have steadily eroded the quality of life in surrounding neighborhoods.
The ordinance addresses not only the relocation of the complex and improvements to the residential environment, but also a range of measures aimed at upgrading the industry itself.
Key provisions include the establishment of master and implementation plans for developing the used-car export industry, the relocation of the complex and its eco-friendly modernization, upgrades to the logistics system linking it to Incheon Port, support for quality certification and overseas market development, and the expansion of digital infrastructure alongside the training of specialized personnel.
Notably, the ordinance also provides the legal basis for establishing and operating a "Used-Car Export Comprehensive Support Center," which would offer one-stop assistance covering administrative procedures, connections to overseas buyers, and education and consulting services. The center is expected to significantly boost the competitiveness of export businesses.
"The relocation and modernization of the Oknyeon-dong export complex is a project residents have long hoped for," Jeong said. "Starting with this ordinance, I will carefully follow through on the remaining tasks to simultaneously improve the residential environment and quality of life for residents while strengthening the industry's competitiveness in global markets."
With the ordinance cleared by the full council, Incheon city authorities plan to begin drawing up concrete implementation plans, including the preparation of a replacement site, expansion of logistics infrastructure and support measures for businesses currently operating in the complex.
gilbert@heraldcorp.com
