World Hydrogen Expo 2025 Site on December 4
On December 4, at the World Hydrogen Expo 2025, Kim Sung-hwan, Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment, emphasized the importance of building a hydrogen ecosystem, stating, "This year and next year, we must scale up the hydrogen economy through intensive facility investment and demonstration."
During the event, Minister Kim visited the Hyundai Motor Group booth, reviewed the exhibits, and shared these views with Jang Jae-hoon, Vice Chairman of Hyundai Motor Group. Minister Kim remarked, "If the supply price of hydrogen remains at the current level of 12,000 won per kilogram, it will be difficult to vitalize the market," adding, "We must employ various measures, such as providing fuel subsidies, to lower the price to around 4,000 won per kilogram."
In May, government ministries announced support measures to raise the fuel subsidy for hydrogen buses from the previous 3,600 won per kilogram to 5,000 won per kilogram to help achieve the national greenhouse gas reduction targets. Although next year's budget for hydrogen vehicle subsidies from the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment has slightly decreased compared to the previous year, support for hydrogen infrastructure and production continues to grow steadily.
On the 4th, Kim Sung-hwan, Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment (5th from the left in the front row in the photo), visited the Hyundai Motor Group booth at the World Hydrogen Expo and received an explanation together with Jang Jae-hoon, Vice Chairman of Hyundai Motor Group (4th). Photo by Su-yeon Woo
At the opening ceremony of the event, Minister Kim also highlighted the importance of lowering prices at the hydrogen production stage. He argued that, in order to meaningfully expand the hydrogen ecosystem, the price of hydrogen production and supply-the very first step in the supply chain-must be reduced.
He stated, "The process of producing hydrogen is more expensive than expected," and added, "Our biggest challenge is how to extract hydrogen from renewable and nuclear energy sources in a cost-effective way and utilize it as an energy resource."
On this day, Minister Kim, together with Vice Chairman Jang, toured the exhibition booths of various companies, including Hyundai Motor Group, HD Hyundai Infracore, 3M, Air Liquide, Kolon, Iljin Hysolus, Linde, and Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power.
Vice Chairman Jang, who was present at the event, emphasized, "Hydrogen is a highly valuable energy source in terms of eco-friendliness and diverse applications," and added, "We must not lose our initiative in hydrogen utilization solutions, even from a global perspective."
Hyundai Motor Group, which set up the largest booth at this event, collaborated with six other companies to introduce technologies and businesses spanning the entire hydrogen value chain. In particular, the hydrogen production solution utilizing the PEM water electrolysis method attracted attention as an innovative case emphasizing sustainability.
Additionally, the event showcased an automatic charging robot that refuels hydrogen vehicles, as well as technology that replaces paint drying in vehicle manufacturing processes with hydrogen burners, presenting the potential of diverse future hydrogen technologies.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
