Assemblyman Myungkoo Kang: "Reduction of Hydrogen Power Generation Market Deals a Direct Blow to Gumi Jobs"... Direct Criticism of Government Policy at the National Assembly

"Only Companies That Trusted Government Policy Suffer"

Joint Press Conference with Gumi Hydrogen Fuel Cell Companies

Concerns Over Hydrogen Industry Contraction Amid Power Competition in the AI Era

As controversy grows over the government's plan to reduce the volume of the general hydrogen power generation market, Assemblyman Myungkoo Kang (People Power Party, Gumi-eul) held a joint press conference at the National Assembly with hydrogen fuel cell companies from the Gumi region, strongly urging the government to reconsider its policy.

On June 11, at the National Assembly's press center, Assemblyman Kang, together with Assemblymembers Kim Sohee and Kim Yongtae, held a joint press conference condemning the reduction of the general hydrogen power generation market. He also held a separate press conference with hydrogen fuel cell supply chain companies based in Gumi, highlighting the severe impact that market reduction would have on the region's industry and jobs.

Lawmaker Myunggu Kang (People Power Party, Gumi Eul) holding a press conference condemning the reduction of the general hydrogen power market [Photo by the lawmaker's office]

The controversy began when the government recently announced a notice reducing the bidding volume for the general hydrogen power generation market from the previous annual 1,300 GWh to 930 GWh.

The industry is concerned about decreased investment and the collapse of the industrial ecosystem due to market contraction.

On that day, Assemblyman Kang stated, "The world is now engaged in a race to secure electricity driven by the expansion of AI data centers. While the United States is utilizing hydrogen fuel cells as a key source of future distributed power, our government is instead shrinking the relevant market."

He further pointed out, "While the Ministry of Environment is limiting the total domestic capacity to 125 MW citing greenhouse gas emissions, in the United States, a single company is utilizing hydrogen fuel cells at a scale 22 times larger. This is a policy that runs counter to global trends."

Assemblyman Kang also raised issues regarding personnel appointments at the Hydrogen Fuel Cell Industry Association. He said, "It is inappropriate that someone with a background in environmental administration, lacking expertise in the energy and electricity markets, has been appointed as the association's full-time vice president—a role that should represent the industry. We need a structure that can properly deliver the voice of the industry."

At the subsequent press conference with Gumi-based companies, the impact of the government’s policy changes on the local economy became a major point of concern.

Assemblyman Kang emphasized, "For companies that decided on large-scale investments based on trust in government policy, a market reduction is not simply a matter of adjusting volumes—it is a matter of survival. The government's attitude should not change between encouraging investment and shrinking the market."

He continued, "If companies that trusted and invested are the first to suffer, what company would proactively invest in future industries going forward? This is not an issue for a particular company, but one that affects new investments, quality jobs, and the manufacturing competitiveness of Gumi as a whole."

He urged the government to maintain the general hydrogen power generation market volume at the previous annual level of 1,300 GWh or more and to promptly present a mid- to long-term market operation plan so that companies can invest with predictability.

He added, "The National Assembly will provide full support so that hydrogen fuel cell companies in Gumi can grow into leading new industry companies representing Korea. We will do our utmost to ensure more investment and job creation, contributing to the local community."

As the government's energy transition policy and industrial development strategy come into conflict, the debate over the hydrogen industry is expected to emerge as a major issue for both the National Assembly and the industrial sector going forward.

If the government calls for the development of new industries while shrinking the market, companies will have no other choice but to remain on the sidelines rather than invest. Consistency in policy is the starting point for industrial competitiveness.

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