Incheon steps up G20 summit bid with diplomatic push targeting ambassadors

Incheon has launched a full-scale diplomatic campaign to win the bid for the next G20 summit, targeting foreign ambassadors accredited to South Korea.

Incheon Mayor Park Chan-dae made the pitch to ambassadors from 16 countries at a reception for the 2026 First Global Challenge held Wednesday at Gyeongwonjae Ambassador Seoul, a hotel in Songdo, urging their active support for Incheon's bid to host the G20 summit.

At the event, Park engaged with diplomats from around the world to highlight the city's strengths as a prepared candidate — including its vision as an international city, its strong MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions) infrastructure, and its exceptional transport connectivity.

He also pointed to the city's successful on-site management of the First Global Challenge — a large-scale international robotics competition drawing more than 4,500 young participants from 185 countries — as evidence of Incheon's capacity to host major international events.

"This occasion was a meaningful opportunity to convey to the ambassadors Incheon's outstanding capabilities and the legitimacy of our G20 bid," Park said. "We will continue to build global understanding and a broad base of support by making use of various international exchange platforms."

Meanwhile, Incheon is sustaining momentum at home and abroad by pairing its diplomatic outreach with online and offline signature campaigns involving 7 million overseas Koreans and 3.05 million Incheon residents, timed to coincide with major events such as the World Korean Business Convention.