Congratulatory Speech at the 'Green New Deal Expo' Hosted by the National Assembly Hydrogen Economy Forum
Jung "Hydrogen Economy Will Become Korea's 'Path to an Energy Revolution'"
Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun and Hyundai Motor Group Chairman Chung Eui-sun attended the "2nd Hydrogen Economy Committee" held at the Government Seoul Office in Jongno-gu, Seoul on the 15th, shaking hands./Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@
[Asia Economy Reporter Moon Chaeseok] "Growth after the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) must clearly be different from before. I believe the answer lies in a 'low-carbon, eco-friendly economy.' We will open the door wide to becoming a hydrogen economy advanced nation through the 'Green New Deal.'"
Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun emphasized the importance of the hydrogen economy during his congratulatory speech at the '2020 Green New Deal Expo' held at Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP) in Seoul on the afternoon of the 28th, stating, "It is not enough to just overcome the current economic crisis."
He leads the 'Hydrogen Economy Committee,' a pan-governmental hydrogen economy control tower launched last July.
The core message of Prime Minister Chung's speech that day was the need to prepare comprehensive measures for the so-called 'post-COVID' era.
This is why the 'Green New Deal' section, which deals with the hydrogen economy and green growth among the 'Korean New Deal Comprehensive Plan' announced in July, is given significant weight.
Prime Minister Chung stressed, "Including this year's supplementary budget, we plan to invest 73.4 trillion won (42.7 trillion won in national funds) in the 'Green New Deal' by 2025," adding, "This is the largest portion of the 160 trillion won investment in the Korean New Deal."
He continued, "Among these, the hydrogen economy is the driving force of the low-carbon, eco-friendly economy that the Green New Deal aims for," explaining, "It is the key to the post-COVID era that will prevent climate change and enhance national competitiveness through a new value chain."
The 'Green New Deal,' aimed at a sustainable carbon-neutral society, focuses on three major areas: ▲green transformation of urban and spatial living infrastructure (12.1 trillion won) ▲expansion of low-carbon and distributed energy (24.3 trillion won) ▲building an innovative ecosystem for green industries (6.3 trillion won).
Prime Minister Chung declared that efforts will be fully devoted to achieving the goal of the '2030 National Greenhouse Gas Reduction Basic Implementation Plan,' which aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 24.4% compared to 2017 by 2030, and to job creation through fostering green industries.
He also actively pursues establishing legal grounds to support the spread of the hydrogen economy.
Prime Minister Chung said, "We will begin full-scale construction of hydrogen pilot cities and enact the 'Hydrogen City Act' to support this." In this regard, the Hydrogen Act will be implemented from next year, and a hydrogen power generation obligation system will be introduced.
He stated, "The hydrogen economy is still a 'path no one has taken before,'" adding, "For resource-poor Korea, it will be a 'path of energy revolution' that can leap to become a 'resource advanced nation.'"
He added, "As a 'First Mover' in the hydrogen economy, we will open the way forward."
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