The South Korean government is set to enhance Saemangeum as a hub for hydrogen and AI-based advanced industries by visiting China's hydrogen sector.
The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport announced on June 7 that a delegation led by Minister Kim Yun-deok will visit Beijing and Inner Mongolia from June 8 to 10. The delegation will tour local companies and key facilities to assess the infrastructure for hydrogen production, transportation, storage, and utilization.
This visit supports a 9 trillion won investment agreement signed in February between the government and Hyundai Motor Group for Saemangeum. The ministry plans to explore administrative and financial support measures to expedite the development of a solar-powered electrolysis plant and an AI hydrogen city proposed by Hyundai Motor Group.
Green hydrogen produced at the Saemangeum electrolysis facility will be supplied to local areas, including waterfront cities, through pipelines and tube trailers. It will also be utilized in hydrogen refueling stations and in the port and logistics sectors, as well as in hydrogen mobility.
China is expanding its hydrogen industry value chain, focusing on five major hydrogen demonstration cities. With abundant renewable energy, it has established large-scale production facilities, making it the world's largest hydrogen producer and consumer.
On June 8, the delegation will visit the Daxing International Hydrogen Energy Demonstration Zone in Beijing, where they will examine the ecosystem from hydrogen production to utilization. They will assess the durability of stacks and the level of domestic technology in hydrogen fuel cell companies. The delegation will also visit a large hydrogen refueling station to evaluate operational efficiency and safety management systems based on intelligent platforms.
On June 9, they will visit one of the world's largest green hydrogen production facilities in Inner Mongolia. The delegation will review the integration of wind and solar power with electrolysis equipment and examine examples of hydrogen supply infrastructure development.
The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport aims to analyze China's examples to develop support measures tailored to the geographical and industrial conditions of Saemangeum. This initiative is expected to establish a stable hydrogen supply network and accelerate the creation of the AI hydrogen city.
Minister Kim Yun-deok stated, "It is crucial to establish a stable hydrogen supply infrastructure in Saemangeum and to formulate policies that accurately reflect corporate demand. We will mobilize all possible support measures based on insights gained from China's leading examples to ensure the swift implementation of investments in Saemangeum."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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