“Korea’s hydrogen business can be said to be a 100% model for the global market”
Ivana Jemelkova, CEO of the Hydrogen Council, made these remarks while meeting with reporters at the “World Hydrogen Expo (WHE) 2026,” which opened on Wednesday at KINTEX in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province.
She said, “Korea is definitely a pioneer in hydrogen mobility.” The Hydrogen Council is a global CEO forum related to hydrogen, and in Korea, Chung Jae-hoon, vice chairman of Hyundai Motor Group, serves as co-chair.
Jemelkova said, “(In terms of hydrogen mobility) Korea has a very strong foundation. Korea is a good case study in the hydrogen business. Every time I come to Korea, I am truly amazed by the country’s hydrogen supply chain. It is quite unique and offers many advantages, so it must be continuously strengthened.”
She noted, “(In terms of hydrogen industry development) there is no one-size-fits-all approach for every country. Since each country has unique strengths, those strengths should be leveraged effectively.”
She added, “Countries that rely on imports must strengthen partnerships further, while countries with abundant renewable energy can (use it to) produce hydrogen. As Korea, India, and China each have different advantages, they should carefully consider these strengths to produce and utilize energy that is fast, cheap, and clean.”
Jemelkova said, “China is a leader in investment, particularly investing heavily in water electrolysis technology.”
Regarding India, she stated, “It is focusing more on hydrogen for its own national interests. I believe it can achieve economic development and write a new history by transitioning from an importing country to an exporting one.”
She continued, “Korea started with a strong hydrogen mobility market,” explaining, “I hope the country leverages this well to move forward.”
She said that Hyundai Motor Group has rapidly expanded the hydrogen industry through mobility technology. “This is of great help not only to climate security but also to the industrial ecosystem.”
She continued, “Now we are moving on to the next chapter. We must move forward using the technology and knowledge we have accumulated so far. Hydrogen mobility can support this part.”
Furthermore, she said, “We must leverage what we learned from internal combustion engine vehicles to move forward. This will create more jobs and (business) opportunities. I believe Hyundai Motor Group has provided such opportunities.”
in INDUSTRY
