Korea Central News Net

Must Read News Updates from Korea You May Have Not Heard Before

  • Hyundai Motor Group signs multilateral MOU to build hydrogen city in North Chungcheong Province

    From left: Jin Soo-nam, Acting President of Korea Gas Technology Corporation; Kim Dong-wook, Executive Vice President of Hyundai Motor Group’s Strategic Planning Division; Kim Young-hwan, Governor of North Chungcheong Province; Lee Beom-seok, Mayor of Cheongju; Park Kyung-guk, President of Korea Gas Safety Corporation; and Lee Joong-ho, Head of Korea Electric Power Corporation’s North Chungcheong Branch, pose for a commemorative photo during the MOU ceremony | Photo courtesy of Hyundai Motor Company

    Hyundai Motor Group signed a multilateral memorandum of understanding (MOU) on June 24 at OSCO in Cheongju to promote the establishment of a hydrogen city in North Chungcheong Province. The signing ceremony was attended by Kim Dong-wook, Executive Vice President of Hyundai Motor Group’s Strategic Planning Division; Kim Young-hwan, Governor of North Chungcheong Province; Lee Beom-seok, Mayor of Cheongju; Park Kyung-guk, President of Korea Gas Safety Corporation; Jin Soo-nam, Acting President of Korea Gas Technology Corporation; and Lee Joong-ho, Head of Korea Electric Power Corporation’s North Chungcheong Branch.

    The hydrogen city initiative is a large-scale project aimed at transforming Cheongju into an eco-friendly smart city powered by hydrogen energy. It aligns with the South Korean government’s Carbon Neutral 2050 goal and policies to boost the hydrogen economy. The project focuses on establishing a hydrogen ecosystem throughout the central inland region of the country.

    Under the agreement, Hyundai Motor Group plans to quadruple the capacity of its clean hydrogen production facility in Cheongju, which uses biogas. Once expanded, the facility will be capable of producing 2,000 kilograms of clean hydrogen daily, ensuring stable local supply.

    Hyundai will also support the expansion of hydrogen refueling infrastructure and the introduction of hydrogen mobility solutions in the region.

    The North Chungcheong provincial government and Cheongju city will provide active support in terms of budgeting and regulatory approvals necessary for the hydrogen city initiative.

    Korea Gas Safety Corporation will oversee the establishment of a Hydrogen Gas Safety Hub Center and facilitate training programs for specialized personnel, while Korea Gas Technology Corporation will be responsible for project progress and performance management. Korea Electric Power Corporation will build smart power infrastructure to support the hydrogen city.

    Hyundai Motor Group expects this initiative to energize the regional hydrogen economy and accelerate the transition to a hydrogen-powered society.

    At the “North Chungcheong Hydrogen Economy Forum” held following the MOU ceremony, Hyundai Motor Group presented the status and future plans of its global hydrogen initiatives centered on HTWO, the company’s hydrogen brand and business platform.

    The group emphasized that by spearheading the first hydrogen city project in North Chungcheong Province, it aims to revitalize the local hydrogen economy and contribute to national carbon neutrality. Hyundai also reaffirmed its commitment to expanding the full hydrogen value chain—from production to utilization—through strategic partnerships and global investments.

    The group is also pursuing a range of hydrogen ecosystem projects, including a hydrogen production demonstration project at the Food Waste Bio Center in Chungju, a circular hydrogen project with Paju City and the Korea Institute of Advanced Technology to build a mini hydrogen city, and a resource-circulating hydrogen solution project in West Java, Indonesia, where the group operates major production facilities.

  • SUNVOLT launches ‘Green Eco Cart’ platform, reshaping Korea’s used golf cart market with new lithium battery innovation

    Electric mobility specialist SUNVOLT has officially launched “Green Eco Cart,” a pioneering online platform specializing in used golf carts, signaling a bold new chapter for Korea’s secondary golf cart market. Far from being a typical reseller site, Green Eco Cart offers refurbished carts equipped with SUNVOLT’s proprietary high-performance lithium batteries, providing near-new functionality and significantly reduced maintenance burdens.

    The platform delivers a comprehensive one-stop solution for used golf cart transactions, including sales, rentals, and after-sales service. At the heart of this platform is SUNVOLT’s advanced lithium battery technology, which transforms used carts into high-efficiency, high-reliability vehicles suitable for golf courses and theme parks previously deterred by the high cost of new electric carts.

    Green Eco Cart focuses on models such as Yamaha and A-Pros, both widely recognized for their reliability. These carts undergo rigorous inspection and refurbishment by SUNVOLT’s engineering team, ensuring optimal performance. Particularly, the Yamaha carts are directly imported from Japan, where terrain and meticulous maintenance yield a supply of top-grade secondhand carts. Thanks to a strategic partnership with Japan’s largest used golf cart supplier, SUNVOLT ensures a stable supply pipeline.

    The standout feature of Green Eco Cart is the integration of SUNVOLT’s next-generation lithium battery system. Utilizing top-tier battery cells from global leaders like Samsung SDI and CATL, these batteries boast exceptional efficiency and safety. With a maximum capacity of 72V and 170Ah, a single charge can easily power three full 18-hole rounds, even when using peripherals such as air conditioners and heaters.

    Enhanced safety is achieved through a world-class battery management system (BMS) and an active fire suppression mechanism. The batteries also offer exceptional durability, with a lifespan of over 10 years or 5,000 charge cycles. This robust power system overcomes the shortcomings of traditional lead-acid batteries, such as frequent replacements, performance drops, and complex maintenance, delivering a level of convenience and economy akin to new carts.

    SUNVOLT’s golf carts have already demonstrated exceptional performance on Korea’s rugged golf course terrains, earning high praise from domestic clubs. The company has also made inroads into the Japanese market, offering free after-sales service and comprehensive pre-delivery quality inspections and test drives.

    The Green Eco Cart platform, SUNVOLT emphasizes, is not simply about offering affordable secondhand carts—it’s about delivering “like-new” performance and eco-friendliness through new lithium battery integration. This innovation opens a new frontier in the used golf cart sector.

    To further build customer trust, SUNVOLT backs its products with strict quality inspections, one year of free A/S, and nationwide support through directly operated stores. More information is available at www.ecocart.co.kr, with customer service and consultation also available by phone.

    Founded in 2008, SUNVOLT has grown into one of Korea’s leading electric mobility manufacturers, producing a wide range of electric vehicles for industrial, leisure, and specialized purposes. The company now supplies to major Korean conglomerates and public institutions, while also exporting to over 10 countries. Its portfolio includes electric buses, ATVs, utility carts, and industrial logistics vehicles, all designed and manufactured in-house.

  • VINI COFFEE opens flagship café at Yangjae Highbrand on June 26: Launches hybrid wine-and-coffee space model

    VINI COFFEE, a hybrid café brand combining premium wine and coffee, officially opened its first flagship store at Yangjae Highbrand in Seocho-gu, Seoul on June 26.

    This launch marks the beginning of the brand’s expansion strategy, drawing attention as it introduces a new trend to the food and beverage industry. VINI COFFEE differentiates itself from conventional coffee chains through a compact and lightweight store structure that enables one-person operation, as well as a simplified kitchen system based on meal kits for efficient store management.

    The Yangjae Highbrand store offers a curated selection of premium coffee and a wide range of wines directly imported from more than 10 countries, including nations in Europe and South America. This multi-functional offering sets it apart from existing café concepts.

    The grand opening event featured a ribbon-cutting ceremony and attracted brand representatives, including executives from operator 1879MG (CEO Minji Lee), as well as prospective franchise owners. Attendees participated in wine and coffee tasting sessions and brand experience programs, drawing strong interest from visitors.

    VINI COFFEE stated that its concept was designed as a relaxing cultural space where guests can enjoy wine and coffee in the heart of the city. Following the launch of the Yangjae location, the brand plans to open directly managed stores in Pangyo, Busan, and other key business districts across the country.

    The company currently operates an in-house R&D center to strengthen its brand expertise through seasonal menu development, cupping tests, and barista training programs. It is also building the foundation for a nationwide franchise rollout, offering tailored design systems, operational manuals, and integrated solutions to aspiring business owners.

    VINI COFFEE aims to lead the next generation of the F&B market by optimizing its small-format stores and reinforcing its specialization in the wine-and-coffee hybrid café model.