Incheon City Holds 'Hydrogen Safety Seminar'... Leap Toward a Hydrogen Safety City

[Sejong=Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Haeyoung] Incheon Metropolitan City held the 'Incheon Hydrogen Safety Seminar' on the 6th via the Incheon City YouTube channel as a live broadcast to advance as a hydrogen safety city.

This event was the first hydrogen energy-related seminar hosted by Incheon City. Under the theme of 'Hydrogen Safety,' the seminar was organized by Incheon City and participated in by SK, Hyundai Motor Company, Korea Gas Safety Corporation, Incheon Technopark, hydrogen-related academia and industry, civic groups, and environmental organizations.

Held as an online live broadcast, the seminar provided a platform for Incheon City to communicate with citizens based on scientific evidence regarding the safety concerns citizens have about hydrogen while promoting hydrogen-related policies.

With the attendance of National Assembly member Kim Gyoheung, hydrogen experts, and civic groups, Professor Moon Il from Yonsei University gave a keynote presentation titled 'Why Hydrogen?'. Choi Yeonwoo, Director of the New Energy Industry Division at the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, explained the government's hydrogen policy direction. Following this, the Director of the Environment Bureau of Incheon City and the Head of the Fuel Cell Research Center at Hyundai Motor Company explained the strategy for establishing a local hydrogen ecosystem and hydrogen safety.

Additionally, discussions were held with Kang Wonmo, Vice Chairman of Incheon City Council; Heo Yunsil, Manager at Korea Gas Corporation; Yoon Heetaek, Director of Incheon Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Lee Kwangho, Secretary General of the Peace and Welfare Solidarity; and Lee Wanki, Director of Climate and Environment at Incheon Environmental Movement Federation. Afterwards, a real-time Q&A session addressed citizens’ questions and concerns.

Yu Hunsu, Director of the Environment Bureau of Incheon City, stated, "The most important factor in transitioning from a fossil energy-centered city to a hydrogen city is citizens’ empathy and trust," adding, "Starting with this hydrogen safety seminar, we will continue to hold hydrogen safety forums and strive to communicate with citizens."