Wanju's 'Hydrogen Silicon Valley' Development, Labor, Management, Civil, and Government Unite Hands

'Jeonbuk Hydrogen Industry Labor-Management-Civil-Government Council' Launched

Full-Scale Discussion on 'Hydrogen Silicon Valley' Blueprint

Ahn Ho-young "Focusing on Regulatory Relaxation and Securing National Funding"

Jeonbuk Province is actively discussing plans to develop the hydrogen industry by establishing a ‘Hydrogen Economy Innovation Growth Cluster’ as a future growth engine and creating a ‘Hydrogen Silicon Valley’ in Wanju County, bringing together the National Assembly, Jeonbuk Province, Wanju County, hydrogen-related companies, and public enterprises.

According to the office of National Assembly member Ahn Ho-young (Democratic Party, Wanju·Jinan·Muju·Jangsu) on the 14th, the first meeting of a consultative body involving labor, management, civil society, and government related to hydrogen in Jeonbuk Province was held at 10 a.m. the previous day at the Regional Innovation Center of Woosuk University in Wanju County to make Wanju the world’s number one ‘Hydrogen Silicon Valley.’

The launch of the 'Jeonbuk Hydrogen Industry Labor-Management-Civil-Government Council' on the 13th.
[Photo by Ahn Ho-young's office]

The hydrogen industry consultative body included political representatives such as Assemblyman Ahn Ho-young, Provincial Assembly member Yoon Soo-bong, and Wanju County Council Chairman Seo Nam-yong. From the administration, Wanju County Mayor Yoo Hee-tae, Jeonbuk Energy Hydrogen Division Head Lee Jong-hoon, and Wanju County Future Strategy Officer Lee Jung-geun attended.

From the industry sector, participants included Hyundai Motor Factory Manager Lim Man-gyu, Vinatek President Jung Han-ki, ENG Special Vehicle CEO Kwon Yong-gi, Jung Woo Precision Vice President Yeo Si-rak, Ethercity Executive Director Jeon Sang-jin, Terralix CEO Kim Tae-young, and AESTACK CEO Jeon Jae-hong.

Civilian representatives included Woosuk University Professor Lee Hong-gi and Jeonbuk National University Professor Lee Joong-hee. Public enterprises related to hydrogen also participated, such as Automotive Convergence Technology Institute Director Noh Yoon-sik, Korea Gas Safety Corporation Deputy General Manager Shim Kyu-hoon and Center Director Jung Jin-soo, Jeonbuk Technopark Director Kim Young-kwon, and Korea Chemical Convergence Testing Institute Director Yoo Seok.

The meeting began with a presentation by Director Noh Yoon-sik of the Automotive Convergence Technology Institute on the ‘Establishment of a Reliability and Durability Verification Base for Hydrogen Commercial Vehicle Real-World Testing,’ a project selected in April this year. This was followed by explanations on the progress and future plans for the hydrogen-specialized industrial complex in Wanju County. Afterwards, the challenges faced by hydrogen-related companies in Jeonbuk Province were heard and solutions discussed.

Assemblyman Ahn stated the purpose of forming the consultative body, saying, "With Wanju County selected as a hydrogen-specialized national industrial complex in March this year, Wanju has become the number one hub for Korea’s hydrogen economy. To become not only the leading hydrogen industry base in Jeonbuk but also the world’s top ‘Hydrogen Silicon Valley,’ we need to create a concrete blueprint and unite labor, management, civil society, and government related to the hydrogen industry."

He added, "We will fully activate the hydrogen-related labor-management-civil-government consultative body to drive the development of the hydrogen industry and make Wanju County the ‘Hydrogen Silicon Valley.’ Since deregulation and securing national funding are essential, we will ensure these are addressed in the National Assembly."

Wanju County Mayor Yoo Hee-tae said, "The successful attraction of the hydrogen-specialized national industrial complex was greatly supported by Hyundai Motor and hydrogen-related companies. We will continue to communicate with hydrogen-related companies and provide active support to ensure they settle well in Wanju by paying close attention to even the smallest details."

Meanwhile, Assemblyman Ahn Ho-young announced as his first pledge in the 21st general election that he would "establish a Hydrogen Economy Innovation Growth Cluster" to elevate Wanju County as a center of the hydrogen economy, and plans to institutionalize the ‘Hydrogen Industry Labor-Management-Civil-Government Consultative Body’ to hold regular meetings continuously.

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