Uljin-gun Signs Business Agreement to Revitalize the East Coast Hydrogen Economy Industrial Belt

Signing of Business Agreement to Foster Nuclear Hydrogen Industry

14 Hydrogen Industry Sectors, Universities, Companies, and Research Institutes

On October 21, Uljin County in Gyeongbuk Province signed a "Business Agreement for the Activation of the East Coast Hydrogen Economy Industrial Belt" at the 'East Coast Hydrogen Economy Forum' held at the POSCO International Hall. The agreement was signed by Son Byeong-bok, the governor of Uljin County, Yang Geum-hee, the Deputy Governor for Economy of Gyeongbuk Province, Lee Kang-deok, the mayor of Pohang, along with 14 universities, companies, and research institutions related to the hydrogen industry.

The agreement included participation from Gyeongbuk Province, Uljin County, Pohang City, Samsung C&T Corporation, Techcross Water & Energy, HD Hyundai Plaspo, Seoul National University, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Kyungpook National University, Kyungil University, Dongguk University WISE Campus, Yeungnam University, Handong University, and the Korea Testing Laboratory.

The main goals of the agreement are to establish a clean nuclear hydrogen ecosystem within Gyeongbuk Province, create a regional innovation ecosystem, jointly develop strategic technologies (M&LS) between regional anchor companies and universities, and cultivate specialized hydrogen workforce. To achieve this, universities will strengthen research foundations and establish systems for training specialized personnel to revitalize the hydrogen industry, while companies will actively recruit personnel trained through R&D processes.

Research institutions will provide necessary facilities and equipment, and local governments will be responsible for administrative support, building R&D research infrastructure, and supporting workforce development.

Additionally, to ensure practical and smooth implementation of the agreement, a working-level consultative body will be formed, with all parties pledging close cooperation to create a clean nuclear hydrogen regional innovation ecosystem.

In particular, through this agreement, regional anchor companies, partner firms, and universities will jointly plan medium to large-scale R&D projects, and participation from universities and companies located in the Seoul metropolitan area will also be encouraged to complement the region’s innovation capabilities. This will strengthen comprehensive regional innovation capabilities and enhance collaboration for hydrogen workforce training and new technology development at regional universities through the establishment of an industry-academia cooperation platform.

Governor Son Byeong-bok stated, “This agreement will be an important turning point for Uljin to establish itself as the center of the hydrogen economy. I hope that close cooperation among universities, companies, and research institutions will lead Uljin to develop into a leading city in the nuclear hydrogen industry. We must not forget that sustainable development through nuclear hydrogen is the path that will brighten the future of Uljin and the Republic of Korea.”