Yeosu Mayor Jeong Gi-myeong Proposes Issues at 'Prime Minister-led Meeting'

Published 26 Jul.2023 18:01(KST)

Introduction to Hydrogen Industry Status Including Yeosu·Gwangyang Hydrogen Pipeline Network Construction

Support for Successful Hosting of Yeosu Island Expo, Budget Proposal for Local Issues

Prime Minister Han Duck-soo visited Yeosu on the afternoon of the 26th.

According to Yeosu City on the 26th, Prime Minister Han Duck-soo visited the LG Chem Yeosu plant as part of an on-site inspection of carbon neutrality implementation policies.

On this day, Prime Minister Han toured LG Chem's electrolysis plant and research and development site for water electrolysis materials, and hosted a meeting with hydrogen industry representatives.

[Photo by Yeosu City]

The meeting was attended by about 20 people, including Kang Kyung-sung, 2nd Vice Minister of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, Kim Young-rok, Governor of Jeollanam-do, Jung Ki-myung, Mayor of Yeosu, and LG Chem officials. The current status of government and local government policy support and difficulties faced by industry representatives were discussed.

At the meeting, Prime Minister Han emphasized, "Green growth, where the domestic economy develops alongside the realization of carbon neutrality, must be achieved," and urged, "Economic actors, companies, should focus their capabilities on securing core technologies of the hydrogen industry and enhancing competitiveness with a challenging spirit to lead the global market."

Mayor Jung Ki-myung of Yeosu, who attended together, introduced Yeosu City's hydrogen industry, including ▲ the construction of the Yeosu-Gwangyang hydrogen pipeline network and the establishment of a green hydrogen production base utilizing offshore wind power, ▲ active support for the budget of linked projects for the successful hosting of the 2026 Yeosu World Islands Expo, ▲ attracting the 33rd United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP33) to the southern coast and southern central region to strengthen the status of an advanced climate environment country, and ▲ securing passenger ships to stabilize the Yeosu?Geomeon route, focusing on major local issues.

In addition, a request was made for 90 billion won in national funds to ensure that the Hwatae-Baekya road construction project in Yeosu (known as the Eleven Bridge) can be opened in time for the Expo, as well as budget requests including 500 million won for the construction of a seafood safety center and 500 million won to expedite the preliminary feasibility study for the 4th phase industrial water supply in Gwangyang.

In response, Prime Minister Han promised, "I ask you to take the lead in fostering the world’s number one hydrogen industry for carbon neutrality," and "We will actively support the activation of the hydrogen industry." He also replied, "We will positively review the requested matters."