Korea Gas Safety Corporation Expands Hydrogen Safety Infrastructure
Korea Gas Safety Corporation (KGS) is establishing a comprehensive hydrogen safety management system across the entire hydrogen lifecycle, including five key safety infrastructures, to support the growth of the hydrogen industry.
Our take
How is Korea building safety infrastructure to support its growing hydrogen economy?
Korea Gas Safety Corporation's proactive establishment of five key safety infrastructures, including the Hydrogen Products Inspection and Certification Center and Liquefied Hydrogen Inspection Support Center, aims to reduce technical and regulatory risks for new hydrogen technologies and businesses, thereby lowering certification costs and development burdens for domestic companies.
Global climate change is accelerating the energy transition towards carbon neutrality, with renewable energy sources like solar and wind expanding rapidly. This expansion highlights the critical need for stable energy storage and supply solutions, given the intermittency of renewables. Hydrogen is emerging as a key solution for long-term, large-scale energy storage and transport, especially for areas beyond the conventional grid.
- 2025 global renewable energy generation capacity increase: 692 GW (2025)
- 2025 global renewable energy cumulative capacity: 5149 GW (2025)
- 2025 new generation capacity from renewables percentage: 85.6% (2025)
- Hydrogen Economy Promotion Roadmap announcement: 2019
- Hydrogen Economy Promotion and Hydrogen Safety Management Act enactment: 2020
- Hydrogen Products Inspection and Certification Center completion: June 2024
- Hydrogen Products Inspection and Certification Center specialized test labs: 16
- Hydrogen Products Inspection and Certification Center inspection equipment types: 73
- Hydrogen Products Inspection and Certification Center inspection equipment items: 148
- Hydrogen Products Inspection and Certification Center maximum product size for inspection: 12m
- Hydrogen Product Testing and Evaluation Center opening: March 2024
- Liquefied Hydrogen Inspection Support Center establishment: December 2025
- Liquefied hydrogen handling temperature: approx. -253℃
- Hydrogen Safety Academy opening: July 2024
KGS, designated as the dedicated hydrogen safety agency in 2020, is building comprehensive safety infrastructure to address the inherent risks of hydrogen across its entire lifecycle. By establishing specialized centers for inspection, testing, and training, KGS is moving beyond reactive accident response to proactively integrate safety into the design and growth stages of the hydrogen industry. This approach aims to preemptively develop safety standards for new technologies and business models, fostering a secure environment for the expanding hydrogen economy.
What the source says
- Government The Government announced the 'Hydrogen Economy Promotion Roadmap' in 2019.
- Government The 'Hydrogen Economy Promotion and Hydrogen Safety Management Act' was enacted in 2020, designating KGS as the dedicated hydrogen safety agency.
- Korea Gas Safety Corporation KGS institutionalized safety impact assessments and precise safety diagnoses for hydrogen charging stations.
- Korea Gas Safety Corporation The Hydrogen Products Inspection and Certification Center was completed in Wanju-gun, Jeonbuk in June 2024.
- Korea Gas Safety Corporation The Hydrogen Product Testing and Evaluation Center opened in Eumseong, Chungbuk in March 2024.
- Korea Gas Safety Corporation The Liquefied Hydrogen Inspection Support Center was established in Eumseong, Chungbuk in December 2025.
- Korea Gas Safety Corporation The Hydrogen Safety Academy opened in Chungbuk Innovation City in July 2024.
- KGS official A KGS official stated that KGS operates hydrogen safety management facilities across the entire hydrogen lifecycle to ensure stable energy delivery to the public.
For investors — Investors in Korea's DER sector can expect reduced operational and development costs for hydrogen-related projects due to streamlined domestic testing, certification, and professional training, alongside enhanced public acceptance of hydrogen technologies.
Watch: Monitoring the ongoing expansion of KGS's safety management roles and the development of new safety standards for emerging hydrogen technologies and business models.
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