The Ministry of Environment (Minister Cho Myung-rae) announced that the "Hydrogen Energy Network (HyNet)*" held the "completion ceremony of the Government Complex Sejong hydrogen charging station" at 567, Eojin-dong, Sejong Metropolitan Autonomous City (1-5 living districts) on the afternoon of August 31st.

* A special purpose company (SPC) for hydrogen charging station where 11 companies including Korea Gas Corporation and Hyundai Motor Company are participating

Hong Jeong-kee. Vice-Minister of Environment, Chung Seung-il, Vice Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy, James Choi, Ambassador at Australian Embassy Seoul, Kim Yong-seok, Director of Infrastructure as well as Cho Sang-ho, Vice Mayor of the Sejong City attended the ceremony.

The hydrogen charging station at the Government Complex Sejong, which was established through collaboration with related departments, can charge up to 60 vehicles a day (5 vehicles/hour, operating 12 hours from October 24th) and the supply of hydrogen vehicles in Happy City is expected to increase significantly.

The Ministry of Environment supported a project budget of KRW 1.5 billion to the hydrogen energy network and supervised the overall project.

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and the National Agency for Administrative City Construction changed the implementation plan to build a hydrogen charging station in the Government Complex Sejong and worked together to select the location.

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy conducted a review on the supply and demand of the hydrogen charging station construction materials and parts as well as their safety.

The hydrogen charging station at the Government Complex Sejong is the first hydrogen charging station to be installed in the government building and it is also the second case to be built at a major national facility after the station at the National Assembly built by Hyundai Motor Company.

This symbolizes the government's will to transform into a hydrogen society. It is expected to improve public awareness on hydrogen safety and change people's perception on the hydrogen charging station.

Also, as the station is located at the center of the country, the convenience of hydrogen vehicle users who travel long distances is expected to increase and the distribution of hydrogen vehicles will increase mainly in local governments and public institutions which send officials visiting government buildings.

Currently, there are 45 hydrogen charging stations (including 8 stations for research purposes) running in the country and the government plans to continuously expand the number of station to build 310 stations by 2022.

On the other hand, the safety of hydrogen charging station is internationally well recognized as it is located near the Eiffel Tower in France and Tokyo Tower in Japan. However, it is still recognized as a dangerous facility in Korea.

Therefore, the government enhances safety management of the facility in all stages such as precise safety diagnosis and double checking (monitoring) in order for people to use it without worries. 

In addition, the center will enhance promotion of its policy so that local residents can directly experience hydrogen safety through various promotions and operation of a hydrogen safety experience training center.

"Through the hydrogen charging station in the Government Complex Sejong, the very center of Korean administration, we expect to have an opportunity to eliminate flee floating anxiety on hydrogen use and transform public perception of hydrogen safety", said Hong Jeong Kee. Vice-Minister of Environment.

He added, "also, the Ministry of Environment will continue our utmost efforts to improve the convenience of hydrogen vehicle drivers by accelerating the construction of hydrogen charging stations through utilization of the future vehicle charging station field support team and council of the hydrogen charging station policy."