Accelerating Civil-Military Hydrogen Economy Development... Signing of 'Hydrogen Utilization Business Agreement'

Jaundae, Korea's First Civil-Military Dual-Use Hydrogen Refueling Station Construction Planned

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwangho Lee] Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun presided over the signing of a 'Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Mutual Cooperation for Hydrogen Utilization' at the Armed Forces Nursing Academy within Jaun-dae, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon on the 16th, the Prime Minister's Office announced.

The event emphasized fostering the hydrogen economy, a new growth engine for the Republic of Korea, and included ▲a visit to the planned site for a civilian-military dual-use hydrogen refueling station ▲a test ride of a hydrogen bus ▲a military drone exhibition and hydrogen drone demonstration ▲signing of the mutual cooperation MOU for hydrogen utilization, and encouragement of military medical personnel combating COVID-19.

First, Prime Minister Chung visited the planned site for the nation's first civilian-military dual-use hydrogen refueling station at the entrance of Jaun-dae, where he received explanations from the Ministry of National Defense's Military Logistics Officer on the Ministry's progress in promoting the hydrogen economy, and from the Ministry of Environment's Air Quality Policy Officer on the conceptual design and key specifications of the dual-use hydrogen refueling station.

As of this month, 39 hydrogen refueling stations have been installed nationwide, but there is currently only one in the Daejeon area. The installation of this hydrogen refueling station will help address the increased charging demand due to the rise in hydrogen vehicles.

To establish the nation's first civilian-military dual-use hydrogen refueling station, the Ministry of National Defense will provide the site at the entrance of Jaun-dae after review procedures to ensure no interference with military facility protection and operations. The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy will support related systems and policies for the installation, and the Ministry of Environment will assist in the construction of the hydrogen refueling station, with relevant ministries cooperating accordingly.

Additionally, the Ministry of National Defense, Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, and Ministry of Environment plan to actively identify other military-owned lands suitable for installing civilian-military dual-use hydrogen refueling stations in other regions.

Prime Minister Chung then took a test ride on a hydrogen bus stationed at the entrance of Jaun-dae, receiving explanations from Hyundai Motor Company officials about the features, development, and distribution status of hydrogen buses. He said, "I hope our automobile industry continues its efforts to lead the global market in the hydrogen vehicle sector," and added, "The government will also provide active support."

The Ministry of National Defense plans to purchase a total of 10 hydrogen vehicles by 2021 for pilot operation and gradually expand hydrogen vehicle procurement in the future.

Prime Minister Chung also received a briefing from the Army Headquarters Deputy Chief of Intelligence on the drone-bot combat system being promoted by the military, listened to explanations about the specifications of hydrogen drones developed by Doosan Mobility Innovation, and observed a demonstration. Furthermore, at Nightingale Hall of the Armed Forces Nursing Academy, Prime Minister Chung presided over the signing of a mutual cooperation MOU on hydrogen utilization among the Ministry of National Defense, Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, Ministry of Environment, Hyundai Motor Company, and Doosan Mobility Innovation.

Prime Minister Chung stated, "With the signing of this agreement, each ministry and related companies have joined forces to take a significant step toward the hydrogen economy," and urged, "Let us discover new growth engines for our industry through the hydrogen economy and solve energy issues in an eco-friendly manner."

In addition, Prime Minister Chung met with about 10 medical personnel from the Armed Forces Daejeon Hospital, including three newly commissioned nursing officers who were dispatched to Daegu, expressing gratitude for their dedication on the front lines of COVID-19 prevention.

The government plans to prepare various policy measures to foster the hydrogen economy, a future core industry, centered on the Hydrogen Economy Committee scheduled to launch in July this year.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.