AI dominated CES 2025 as a marketing tool, though its intangible nature poses challenges compared to past trends like robotics, drones, and home entertainment, writes Don Southerton.
I’m back in Colorado after spending a week at CES in Las Vegas. I’ve collected my thoughts on this year’s CES show and would like to share them with you.
CES is the most influential technology event in the world, serving as a proving ground for groundbreaking technologies and global innovators. Thousands of exhibitors, media representatives, and industry professionals attend this trade show in Las Vegas every year.
In short, much of the buzz surrounding CES 2025 focused on AI. I was chatting with a long-time colleague from the automotive industry who visited our Incheon-IFEZ booth, where I spent most of my time. I pointed out that we were specifically located in the AI section. After a day of exploring the CES pavilions, he commented, “Don, the whole show is AI.”
I did come to the show with some insights.
Of the 41 businesses from South Korea hosted by the City of Incheon and the Incheon Free Economic Zone (IFEZ), I supported their market entry plans, reviewed their websites, and improved the Korean translations into English. Most of them included AI in their branding or used “AI-enabled” in their product descriptions.
Of the 41 South Korean businesses hosted by Incheon and IFEZ, most featured AI in their branding or product descriptions.
For instance, tech media outlet The Vertical highlighted one of our top brand choices, Sheco. This all-in-one recovery robot is designed to address various water pollutants, including small-scale oil spills, algae, and container dust. Sheco also provides software and support equipment options such as autonomous driving, water monitoring, AI-powered cameras, and a control dashboard.
This reference to AI was the trend throughout the show and was this year’s attention grabber as a marketing tool. However, I feel it often presents a challenge to showcase AI since it is invisible. I have observed this less with products in the past when robotics and drones captured attendees’ interest because they were more tangible and visual, and more so over the years when home entertainment and the latest widescreens dominated.
It’s no surprise that Tech Buzz reports a significant portion of 2024’s largest investment deals went to AI-focused companies, with nearly a third of all global venture funding directed toward AI-related sectors.
Upon closer examination, AI emphasizes the transformative potential of artificial intelligence. As demonstrated at CES, it spans applications in every consumer tech category and across the 4,000+ exhibiting companies worldwide.
I expect that at next year’s CES, we will see more advancements in AI as the technology evolves and continues to capture attendees’ interest.
Don Southerton provides strategy, consulting, and training to Korea-based global businesses.
I’m back in Colorado after spending a week at CES® in Las Vegas. I’ve collected my thoughts on this year’s CES® show.
CES® is the most influential technology event in the world, serving as a proving ground for groundbreaking technologies and global innovators. Every year, thousands of exhibitors, media representatives, and industry professionals attend this trade show in Las Vegas.
In short, much of the buzz surrounding CES® 2025 focused on AI. I was chatting with a long-time colleague from the automotive industry who visited our Incheon-IFEZ booth, where I spent most of my time. I pointed out that we were specifically located in the AI section. After a day of exploring the CES® pavilions, he commented, “Don, the whole show is AI.”
I did come to the show with some insights.
Of the 41 businesses from South Korea hosted by the City of Incheon and the Incheon Free Economic Zone (IFEZ), I supported their market entry plans, reviewed their websites, and improved the Korean translations into English. I found most of them included AI in their branding or used “AI-enabled” in their product descriptions.
For instance, tech media outlet The Vertical highlighted one of our top brand choices, Sheco. This all-in-one recovery robot is designed to address various water pollutants, including small-scale oil spills, algae, and container dust. Sheco also provides software and support equipment options such as autonomous driving, water monitoring, AI-powered cameras, and a control dashboard.
This reference to AI was the trend throughout the show and was this year’s attention grabber as a marketing tool. However, I feel it often presents a challenge to showcase AI since it is invisible. I have observed this less with products in the past, when robotics and drones captured attendees’ interest because they were more tangible and visual, and more so over the years when home entertainment and the latest widescreens dominated.
It’s no surprise that Tech Buzz reports a significant portion of 2024’s largest investment deals went to AI-focused companies, with nearly a third of all global venture funding directed toward AI-related sectors.
Upon closer examination, AI emphasizes the transformative potential of artificial intelligence. As demonstrated at CES®, it spans applications in every consumer tech category and across the 4,000+ exhibiting companies worldwide.
I expect that at next year’s CES®, we will see more advancements in AI as the technology evolves and continues to capture attendees’ interest.
Don Southerton here… I’m happy to share my latest press release- Incheon Shines Bright at CES 2025: 13 Innovation Awards won by Incheon Startups
INCHEON, South Korea, Jan. 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Incheon Free Economic Zone (IFEZ) proudly announced that 12 innovative startups based in Incheon have been honored with a total of 13 CES 2025 Innovation Award
This impressive accomplishment marks a significant milestone for IFEZ, highlighting the creative and entrepreneurial spirit thriving within Incheon but also solidifies its position as a burgeoning hub of global tech innovation.
The CES Innovation Awards® program is an annual competition that recognizes outstanding design and engineering in consumer technology products. It recognizes honorees in various product categories. The 2025 awards program received a record-breaking number of submissions, over 3400.
Twelve companies supported by the IFEZ have received Innovation Awards. Incheon-based startups were named across eight categories: artificial intelligence (AI), digital health, and smart cities. Notably, Viva Innovation, which developed an AI-powered polyp detection solution, received recognition in both the AI and Human Security categories.
2025 Honorees include: Verses – A music-tech startup that develops user-driven music experience services.
ILias AI – A digital sniffer dog drug detection scanner utilizing olfactory AI technology.
emCT Co., Ltd.- Operates a firefighting remote-control service called BDApp, which immediately notifies users on their smartphones of the location and details of facilities affected by a fire.
Nuvilab – A South Korean startup specializing in AI-driven nutrition care solutions for food services.
NExT.AI – SaaS services that optimize costs, time, and manpower in the logistics, manufacturing, and construction industries.
UNIUNI – An accessible restroom solution that provides tailored AI safety, efficiency, and quality.
VIVA INNOVATION – Creates personalized, data-driven healthcare technology that guides the medical check-up journey.
10kM.ai – Korea’s first generative AI company selected for the Deep-Tech TIPS program, which has developed an enterprise video solution that transforms corporate video creation and distribution.
Gbrain – Is the first domestic invasive electrode manufacturer to create flexible, non-invasive thin-film electrodes for high-resolution brainwave acquisition.
Curinginnos lnc.- A tennis partner robot system integrating information and communication technologies such as A.I. and computer vision to move and compete as a real tennis player.
Tesollo Inc.’s – Their DG-3F05 is an advanced robotic hand designed to emulate human dexterity closely by leveraging sophisticated grasping algorithms.
IPIN Labs – BPIN is an AI-powered Smart Factory Asset Management platform designed to significantly enhance operational efficiency and on-site safety by providing real-time tracking of assets, including equipment and personnel.
To learn about our CES Innovation Honorees, go to: https://www.ces2025-ifez.com/innovationawards
We are currently scheduling interviews with the 2025 CES Honorees. Please don’t hesitate to contact us to schedule a one-on-one meeting.
About INCHEON-IFEZ Incheon has become a global business hub boasting an ideal international business environment. It includes Incheon International Airport, the rapidly growing Incheon Port, world-class foreign universities located in the Songdo Global Campus, and an international business and bio-hub. The INCHEON-IFEZ is where everything from bio to logistics, medical care, education, and high-tech industries can be enjoyed.
The Incheon-IFEZ Promotion Booth to showcase innovative South Korean Incheon startups.
Special guest Incheon Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok will share his smart city vision and future strategies, showcasing innovative technologies and urban plans to the world.
The city of Incheon and the Incheon Free Economic Zone Authority (IFEZ) will participate in the 2025 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas.
Of particular interest and a not to miss event, on Tuesday, January 7, from 10:30 to 11:30 AM, at North Hall #9037, Incheon and IFEZ will host their “Unveiled Incheon” reveal: “Urban Renaissance: Building Tomorrow’s Smart Cities Today,” featuring special guest Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok.
Mayor Yoo will spotlight his vision, highlighting Incheon and IFEZ’s global leadership by presenting its smart city vision and future strategies, showcasing innovative technologies and urban plans to the world.
We are currently scheduling a limited number of media interviews with the visionary Mayor for January 7, 2025. (See media contact below to arrange an interview and RSVP).
“On behalf of the City of Incheon and IFEZ, we invite you to visit us in LVCC North. Booth # 9037 to learn more about our technology partners, our Innovation Award Honorees, and the opportunities we offer within the Incheon Startup and Tech Park ecosystem. I look forward to meeting you at CES 2025, as we enter the Renaissance of the Smart City.” Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok
Products and technology to be introduced and showcased at CES 2025:
Verses- A music-tech startup that develops user-driven music experience services. A 2025 CES Innovation Award Honoree.
Sheco- A maritime and inland water clean-up robot.
PABLO AIR- at the forefront of drone innovation, developing proprietary autonomous swarming technology and swarm control platform.
Motov- Based on real-time urban data collected and Edge AI technology, operates an Alot advertising and data-driven AI business.
ILias AI- a digital sniffer dog drug detection scanner utilizing olfactory AI technology. A 2025 CES Innovation Award Honoree.
PurrSong- dedicated to improving the “lives of cats” through an AI-enabled Internet of Things (IoT) healthcare ecosystem.
ZipShowKorea- A smart content production company that produces innovative content including online exhibition halls, VR, AR, media walls, artificial intelligence (AI) content, ultra-high resolution 8K content, realistic experience zones, and entertainment fields.
Nine Watt- A key player in urban energy savings, its flagship platform, Watti, uses geographic information system data and simulation tools to diagnose the energy efficiency of buildings and factories across cities.
Future Sense- Leveraging blockchain-based data-driven food safety and supply chain management to create an efficient manufacturing and distribution ecosystem.
Deep Fusion AI-Providing 4D image radar applications for the real environment.
Additionally, Twelve companies supported by the City of Incheon have received Innovation Awards.
Don’t hesitate to contact us to learn more about our partner companies and schedule one-on-one meetings.
Incheon has become a global business hub boasting an ideal international business environment. It includes Incheon International Airport, the rapidly growing Incheon Port, world-class foreign universities located in the Songdo Global Campus, and an international business and bio-hub. The Incheon-IFEZ is where everything from bio to logistics, medical care, education, and high-tech industries can be enjoyed.
The Incheon Free Economic Zone Authority (IFEZ) recently sent a delegation to the United States to announce the regional “Northeast Asian Global R&D Hub “strategy and hold an Investment Attraction(IR) Briefing for potential international investors.
Led by IFEZ Commissioner Wonsok Yun, who was joined by representatives from five Incheon-based startups—nSAGE, FutureSense, IliasAI, Ninewatt, and IDCITI—the Investment Attraction Delegation participated in various events and meetings at the Korea-U.S. Conference on Science, Technology and Entrepreneurship, now in its 37th edition, held in San Francisco, California, from Aug.21 to 24. Dr. Peter Wonsok Yun
The delegation led a forum called “Establishing a Cross-Border Redub between Korea and the U.S.” during the conference, the most significant bilateral event in science and technology hosted by the Korean-American Scientists and Engineers Association.
Hosting the forum on “Establishing a Cross-Border R&D Hub between Korea and the U.S.,” Commissioner Yoon actively strove to attract investors to establish an IFEZ Global R&D Center. He also hosted the IFEZ Forum, introducing Incheon’s selection as a bio-specialized complex and its R&D Hub strategy.
Commissioner Yun also participated in the “R&D Leadership Forum panel,” meeting up with representatives from the U.S. National Research Foundation and Korean Research Institutions to introduce the Global R&D Hub being established in Incheon and gain insight into the status of joint research.
The Bay Area K-Group, the largest Silicon Valley IT network for Koreans, with over 5,800 members, agreed to work with IFEZ to promote advanced industry exchanges and the entrance of the U.S. market.
Representatives from the Incheon-based startups attended the IR Pitching Competition, three of which made it to the finals and attracted investors’ attention.
IFEZ’s efforts opened the door to U.S. investment and the entrance of Incheon-based firms into the U.S. market.
Before departing for the conference, Commissioner Yun said, “Once Incheon develops into a Global R&D Hub and attracts outstanding scientists and talent, not only will it attract promising corporations from all over the globe, but also create a global entrepreneurial ecosystem, facilitating Incheon’s rise to become a global top 10 city.” Source: Joongang Ilbo [kim.yeonsoo1@joongang.co.kr]
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Globally biopharmaceutical companies look to advance the development of a molecule from the laboratory to the clinic and then to market as soon as possible. This must unfold without sacrificing product quality, process efficiency, or patient safety.
To achieve this goal, companies must navigate the complexities of business planning, cell line development, process development, technology, regulatory, and risk assessment. This takes the right mix of resources, expertise, and talent.
In this context, APAC nations led by South Korea are a standout. Specifically, their biopharma hub aims to provide essential research and development activities in the biopharmaceutical industry.
In many cases, this may be a biopharma scale-up lab with separate areas for cell-line development, media screening, clone selection, upstream and downstream process development, and small-scale production for 200L pre-clinical studies.
The hub also includes large-scale manufacturing facilities and can provide end-to-end biopharmaceutical manufacturing services. This enables domestic and foreign companies to quickly enter the global biologics and biosimilars market while reducing the time it takes to bring their products to market.
Bioclusters offer world-class biopharmaceutical production capacity.
For example, industry-leading pharmaceutical companies like Saint-Gobain, Janssen Pharmaceutical, Celltrion, Samsung Biologics, Dong-a Socio Group, and Binex are all located in the Songdo Biocluster.
In turn, across APAC we are seeing pharmaceutical industry leaders like Pfizer, Novartis, MSD, Sanofi, AbbVie, and Amgen have established global manufacturing hubs, too, where they develop a wide range of products.
Many are engaged in various services, including Contract Manufacturing Organization (CMO) of biopharmaceuticals, or developing and producing biosimilars based on their proprietary technologies.
Contract Manufacturing Organization (CMO).
A contract manufacturing organization, or CMO, helps pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies manufacture innovative drug substances. Their offerings include commercial production, drug development, formulation development, method development, pre-formulation, and registration batches.
The strength of these bioclusters, too, lies in their production capacity. The biopharmaceutical production capacity of Songdo is 560,000 liters going head-to-head with San Francisco (440,000 liters), Singapore (270,000 liters), and Ireland (230,000 liters).
Finally, as biopharmaceuticals are made from cell cultures, it is critical to import and export products before products deteriorate during the storage and transportation process and require cold storage.
This means there is a need for a nearby airport and port for transporting chilled goods and frozen logistics. And we find again a standout — Korea with the Incheon International Airport and Port with their state-of-the-art logistics.
What is Cold Storage?
Cold storage, typically at temperatures ranging from 2 to 8 degrees Celsius (36 to 46 degrees Fahrenheit), helps maintain the efficacy of drugs over their shelf life.
An example of cold storage technology, and located within IFEZ is Songdo’s SuperFreeze. https://superfrz.com. They provide sustainable cold chain solutions to Asia’s food and pharmaceutical industries.
Meanwhile, local government efforts are being made for Greenfield sites to create additional biocluster facilities.
What is a Greenfield?
The term greenfield refers to buildings constructed on undeveloped lands where there was no previous development — that was, literally, green. The word green is also synonymous with the word new, which alludes to new construction projects. These greenfield developments are generally made by multinational companies that begin a new venture from the ground up.
Reinforcing this government support, IFEZ and Commissioner Wonsok Yun shared in a recent interview on the Songdo biocluster development:
“We believe that Songdo, which already possesses world-class biopharmaceutical production capabilities, is the perfect match. We are putting our efforts into attracting a bio-specialized complex to build a ‘Bio-Triangle’ connecting the Songdo-Namdong-Yeongjong region. As the companies in Songdo possess advanced strategic biotechnologies, as noted by the Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Energy, I believe it is the most suitable region for the government’s industrial development.”
To conclude, it is expected that within the next decade, the clusters in Korea, and APAC will double to meet the growing global demand.
This will include new foreign direct investments and high-skill jobs with local governments stepping up and providing new support and incentives for domestic and international partnerships.
Korean brands….It’s not too early to be thinking about CES 2025. We offer elite services to support companies and brands for the world’s top trade show.
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This year 5000-plus global media and content creators packed the show’s media centers and extensively covered the show leading to some 25,000 media mentions and more than 35,000 articles. We can ensure that your brand and products get the attention they deserve.
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Just us in Part 2 of Korea’s Money Today’s interview with Dr. Peter Wonsok Yun, Commissioner of the Incheon Free Economic Zone Authority, and his Q and A.
I provided the translation and editorial review. Please check it out. Few grasp global developments as well as Dr. Yun.
Dr. Wonsok Yun, Commissioner of Incheon Free Economic Zone Authority, (Photo provided by Incheon Free Economic Zone Authority)
The following is a Money Today Q&A with Commissioner Yun. In Part 2 of the interview, Dr. Yun shared his insights, thoughts, and plans.
Q. Please briefly explain IFEZ
IFEZ was designated “Korea’s first free economic zone” on August 11, 2003. At the time, no one could have imagined reclaiming the desolate West Sea mudflats and turning them into a global city.
Over the past 20 years, IFEZ has successfully transformed ‘Songdo, Yeongjong, and Cheongna’ into international cities with exceptional innovation and lifestyle.
Above all, we are proud of what we have achieved — our original goal of ‘attracting foreign investment’.
Last year, the environment for attracting domestic and foreign investment contracted due to the war between Russia and Ukraine, but we achieved $432 million in FDI, a 10.7% increase compared to 2022.
Large multinational corporations and research institutions were established, fostering a global startup ecosystem where international talents, including overseas Koreans, congregate and collaborate.
The role of IFEZ is crucial for the success of Incheon City’s 8th popularly elected core policies, ‘Global Top 10 Cities (New Hong Kong City)’ and ‘Jemulporn Renaissance’.
It is now time to lay the foundation for long-term, sustainable growth in the future.
Q. What needs to change to lay the foundation for sustainable growth?
So far, IFEZ has adopted the ‘linked development’ approach, which involves constructing profit-making facilities alongside public facilities. The profits generated from the development and land for private apartments and businesses have been channeled for public facilities such as parks and social infrastructure (SOC) for the city.
Significant progress has been achieved in developing infrastructure for smart and international cities through this interconnected method. However, the development is highly residential, which limits its ability to attract domestic and foreign companies for business and job creation.
Now that IFEZ is 20 years old, we aim to develop a new model that integrates linked development and investment attraction.
We will attract strategic industries to fulfill the core function of the free economic zone as a ‘global business hub’ and to advance in name and reality.
We need to provide a driving force for new industries, such as start-ups, and foster the AI industry.
Q. The target for foreign investment attraction this year is set at $600 million. What is the strategy?
This year, we plan to expand our strategy to attract “global IR companies” and bring in more cutting-edge companies.
In addition, we will achieve this year’s target of $600 million by establishing a ‘Day Station Incheon Strategy’ where companies gather in Incheon.
We will take the lead in balancing development within the existing industrial complexes in the original city center of Incheon. To this end, we plan to strengthen our network by collaborating with the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA) and the World Federation of Overseas Korean Traders Associations (World OKTA).
During the first half of this year, we are putting every effort into our high-tech industrial complex strategy in the bio-pharma sector.
We believe that Songdo, which already possesses world-class biopharmaceutical production capabilities, is the perfect match.
We are putting our efforts into attracting a bio-specialized complex to build a ‘Bio-Triangle’ connecting the Songdo-Namdong-Yeongjong region.
As the companies in Songdo possess advanced strategic biotechnologies, as noted by the Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Energy, I believe it is the most suitable region for the government’s industrial development.
Q. Why are you pursuing additional FEZ lands, including the southern end of Ganghwa and Incheon Inner Port?
Twenty years have passed since IFEZ was launched. As we enter maturity, investment demand is increasing, but available land is in short supply.
For a specialized bio hub complex to be constructed within IFEZ, like Songdo, additional land must be made accessible.
Currently, IFEZ’s development rate exceeds 90%. There is a lack of space to attract the four major high-tech industries that Incheon pursues.
In many cases, other countries and their competitive cities have available land and rival clusters. IFEZ must also be able to compete in high-tech industries, future mobility, cultural tourism, green bio, and smart cities. To achieve this, additional FEZ designation is essential.
Q. A red light has been turned on for large-scale projects that have stalled, including the Golden Terra City (formerly Midan City) casino project. How are you going to solve it?
I am aware of the concerns shared by the residents of Incheon. We are focusing our efforts on getting things back to normal.
Last March, the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Sports did not extend the casino project development period applied for by RFKR, the Korean subsidiary of China’s Furi Group, the operator of the Midan City complex resort.
We will seek to develop alternatives to meet the expectations of residents.
In addition, the ‘Icore City Project’, which involves constructing landmark buildings in Zones 6 and 8 of Songdo and has been in consideration for 17 years since announced in 2006, has seen repeated delays. These delays have been due to financial crises, changes in local governments, and the ups and downs of the global economy.
We are currently discussing options and plans to resolve, for example, the height restriction issue with the relevant ministries.
Q. Inaugurated as the 8th Commissioner of IFEZ last February, what activities have you undertaken since taking office, and what kind of organization are you aiming to create in the future?
First, for over a month since taking office, I have spent my time reviewing major work in progress, and visiting the central Incheon City ministries, business sites, and related organizations. I have dedicated considerable time to communicating with shareholders to understand the current business issues better.
Internally, we are promoting the establishment of the ‘IFEZ Vision and Strategy 2040 Project’ that will drive future leaps forward.
We will, too, strive to create a productive and happy IFEZ organizational culture.
In the future, the goal is to make IFEZ a world-class global city that surpasses Dubai and Hong Kong. To this end, we will do our best to attract corporate investment, for example, by conducting ‘visiting investment IR’.
In addition, we will increase the city’s competitiveness so that IFEZ becomes a top free economic zone, creates good jobs, revitalizes the local economy, and serves as a model for a new growth engine for our country.
A Brief Bio, Dr. Wonsok Yun
Born in Chungcheongnam-do in 1960.
Graduated from Sungkyunkwan University, English Language and Literature, a Master’s degree from Seoul National University Graduate School, and a Doctor of Business Administration, from Sungkyunkwan University Graduate School.
Director of Economic and Trade Cooperation Division, Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA)
CEO, International Business, Hangul and Computer Group
Chairman of Global Industrial Competitiveness Forum
This article was originally published in the Korean language in the June issue of Leader’s Money Today, a legislative affairs magazine. Sang-gu Yoon, head of Incheon headquarters, Reporter Se-mi Hong.
Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok of Incheon Metropolitan City with Richard Kessler, Dean of Mannes Schools of Music ( Photo: BusinessKorea)
Incheon Metropolitan City Signs MOU with Mannes Schools of Music
The Incheon Free Economic Zone Authority (IFEZ) has announced that Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Mannes Schools of Music for the establishment of an “Expanded Campus.”
At the signing ceremony, Mayor Yoo was accompanied by Linda E. Rappaport, Chair of the Board of Trustees of The New School, the parent institution of Mannes School of Music, and Richard Kessler, Dean of Mannes School of Music. Also in attendance from South Korea was Dr. Yoon Won-seok, Commissioner of the Incheon Free Economic Zone Authority, and home of the Songdo District’s Incheon Global Campus (IGC).
The Mannes School of Music is one of the top music schools in America and is affiliated with The New School in New York. It was founded in 1916 by David Mannes (1866–1969), a renowned violinist, conductor, and one of the most important music educators in the United States. Alongside Mannes, the New School programs include the Parsons School of Design, which is the world’s top-ranked fashion university.
An Expanded Campus
Plans are underway for the Mannes School of Music to join the five foreign universities already located within Songdo’s Incheon Global Campus (IGC), which includes the State University of New York’s Fashion Institute of Technology. This will expand the appeal of the IGC and establish a hub for cultural and arts education in the area.
Commenting on this vision, BusinessKorea reports Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok expressed his hopes, noting, “The establishment of Mannes School of Music in Incheon is expected not only to foster talent but also to contribute to Incheon’s growth as an international city in the cultural sector.” The Mayor added, “We look forward to collaborations between our city, IFEZ, and the Mannes School of Music, and we will actively support the expedited establishment of the campus.”
Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok of Incheon Metropolitan City with Richard Kessler, Dean of Mannes Schools of Music ( Photo: BusinessKorea)
