National Assembly Hydrogen Economy Forum "Will Secure Budget and Work on Legal and Institutional Improvements"

Participants of the National Assembly Hydrogen Economy Forum's Policy Cooperation Meeting with the Hydrogen Industry are taking a commemorative photo. (2024.11.22) Photo by Korea Hydrogen Alliance

The National Assembly Hydrogen Economy Forum, a parliamentary research group dedicated to revitalizing the hydrogen economy (co-chairs: Representatives Lee Jong-bae and Jung Tae-ho; research leads: Representatives Kim Yong-tae, Kim So-hee, Lee Jung-moon, and Ahn Ho-young), held a policy cooperation meeting with the hydrogen industry on the 22nd at the National Assembly Members' Office Building, hosted by the Korea Hydrogen Alliance. They agreed to continuously expand comprehensive support to strengthen the competitiveness of the hydrogen industry.

The National Assembly Hydrogen Economy Forum is the only hydrogen-related research group in the National Assembly, continuing its activities through the 20th, 21st, and now the 22nd National Assembly. It has promoted various initiatives to realize a hydrogen society, including the installation of hydrogen charging stations in the National Assembly and the designation and operation of "Hydrogen Day" as a legal commemorative day.

At the meeting, eight major companies representing different segments of the hydrogen value chain participated, including SK Innovation E&S, Samsung C&T, Hyundai Construction (production), Lotte Chemical, Iljin High Solus (storage and transportation), Doosan Fuel Cell, Koh Hygen, and Hyundai Motor Company (utilization).

The participating companies proposed policy support at the National Assembly level to address difficulties experienced on the ground and to promote industry revitalization. The attending lawmakers agreed on the necessity of balanced growth across the entire hydrogen industry value chain to respond to climate change and pledged to strengthen comprehensive support from the National Assembly.

Co-chair Representative Lee Jong-bae stated, "Although the government is striving to expand hydrogen economy policies and create an industrial ecosystem, there remain many challenges to overcome, such as research and development, investment, and raising awareness. The Hydrogen Forum will do its utmost to seek concrete measures for revitalizing the hydrogen economy beyond party lines, communicate effectively, and produce tangible results."

Co-chair Representative Jung Tae-ho emphasized, "Through cooperation between the National Assembly and public-private sectors, South Korea has established a leading position in the global hydrogen economy market and contributed to fostering the industrial ecosystem by enacting the world's first hydrogen-related laws. To respond to climate change, balanced policies and industrial infrastructure across the entire hydrogen economy lifecycle are necessary, and the National Assembly will fulfill its roles in legislation, budgeting, and regulatory and institutional improvements."

Meanwhile, the meeting was attended by National Assembly Hydrogen Economy Forum members including Representatives Lee Jong-bae, Jung Tae-ho, Ahn Ho-young, Lee Jung-moon, Kim So-hee, Kim Ju-young, Kim Han-gyu, Park Hyung-soo, Yoo Sang-bum, and Kwon Hyang-yeop.