출처 : [서울신문] https://www.seoul.co.kr/news/editOpinion/column/oilmanchuntae/2025/08/14/20250814029001
Seo Young Kim, CEO of Hylium Industries, Officially Selected as ‘Technology Pioneer 2025’ by the World Economic Forum (WEF)
Seo Young Kim, CEO of Hylium Industries, has made his mark on the global stage by being officially selected as a Technology Pioneer 2025 by the World Economic Forum (WEF). The Technology Pioneer award is given annually to founders and leaders of companies whose innovative technologies are expected to lead future industries in cutting-edge fields such as artificial intelligence, clean energy, and biotechnology. Seo Young Kim is the first Korean recipient in the hydrogen energy sector. Past recipients have included Google, Twitter, and Palantir.
After graduating from Yonsei University with a degree in Mechanical Engineering, he earned his master’s and doctoral degrees at KAIST. Since 1996, he has been researching cryogenic liquid hydrogen storage technology at the Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST). The technology he accumulated over more than 20 years as a researcher led to the founding of Hylium Industries in 2014. Hylium is the only company in Korea to have built a liquid hydrogen production and storage system entirely with 100% in-house technology. Notably, its liquid hydrogen drones can fly for more than seven consecutive hours, making them a game-changer in hydrogen-powered unmanned aerial vehicles.
Feature Interview / Seo Young Kim, CEO of Hylium Industries
“Energy policy swaying with every administration must come to an end”
Since the inauguration of the Lee Jae-myung administration, Korea’s energy policy focus has shifted toward “decarbonization” and “eco-friendliness.” In a situation where three challenges—achieving carbon neutrality, transforming the industrial ecosystem, and responding to the global energy crisis—are arriving simultaneously, the starting point for policy design must be, above all else, “voices from the field.”
Selected this year by the WEF as a Technology Pioneer (growth-type innovative company), Seo Young Kim is both an engineer who has delved into cryogenic hydrogen technology for over 20 years and an entrepreneur who has pioneered markets with unwavering determination. he has maintained the belief that “true innovation is turning technology into a product,” linking experiments from the lab to real industry. We spoke with him about the potential of the hydrogen industry as a next-generation energy source, its structural bottlenecks, and the direction of Korean energy policy.
- Background of Hylium’s founding and corporate philosophy
“When we first developed liquid hydrogen technology at a government research institute in 1996, the prevailing reaction was, ‘What would you use this for?’ The consensus was that, apart from rocket fuel, there was no application, so the research was halted. After more than a decade of stagnation, by 2011 the world had changed—hydrogen was increasingly needed for vehicles, drones, and aircraft. While papers and patents are important, I believe a true engineer must make tangible products, so I founded Hylium in 2014. Our philosophy is that ‘the completion of engineering is business’—making hydrogen technology a reality.”
- What makes liquid hydrogen competitive with current technology?
“Liquid hydrogen is smaller in volume than gaseous hydrogen and has superior transport efficiency. It is essential in fields requiring large-scale transportation. Storing hydrogen as a gas takes up too much space for commercialization, and high-pressure tanks have both safety risks and limitations. Liquefaction requires complex technology in temperature, pressure, and safety, making entry barriers high. Hylium’s advantage is the know-how we’ve built over more than 20 years—that’s why we can compete in the global market.”
- Where does Korea’s hydrogen technology and industry stand globally?
“We have sufficient technological capabilities. In particular, the presence of large companies like Hyundai Motor, which have strong hydrogen utilization capabilities, gives us a big advantage. However, the hydrogen industry is not just a technological competition—it’s a competition to build the entire value chain. Production, transport, storage, and utilization all have to be in place. Europe produces a lot of green hydrogen but lacks utilization. Korea already has a hydrogen vehicle utilization base, so if we establish solid distribution and storage, we could be the frontrunner in completing the value chain.”
- Hydrogen vehicles vs. electric vehicles: who will lead future mobility?
“This binary framing of ‘EV or hydrogen vehicle’ is wrong. Just as gasoline and diesel cars each had their roles, EVs will dominate small/passenger vehicles, while hydrogen vehicles will play key roles in heavy trucks, buses, aviation, and shipping—areas that require high power and long range. Hydrogen will also be crucial across the energy system for power storage and intermittency balancing. Even EVs will ultimately depend on hydrogen for electricity generation, so the two are not competitors but coexisting energy sources.”
- The energy industry swings with each administration.
“The composition of genuine energy experts advising each administration is critical. The Moon Jae-in administration promoted hydrogen but neglected nuclear power; the Yoon Suk-yeol administration restored nuclear but didn’t fully understand hydrogen. When policies change with each administration, the entire energy industry is destabilized. Hydrogen is a national strategic industry that requires a long-term vision.”
- How does the current regulatory environment affect new technology development?
“For example, we developed a liquid hydrogen drone, but we cannot sell it in Korea—because there is no law for it. Korea’s ‘positive’ legal system means only what is explicitly allowed is possible. Without legal provisions, even R&D is illegal; the police have even come for on-site inspections. In the U.S. and China, they use a ‘negative’ system—if there’s no law prohibiting it, you can do it, and prohibitions are made later. This difference in speed translates directly into gaps in technological competitiveness.”
- Does the current sandbox system help?
“On the ground, the sandbox feels like another layer of regulation. It takes more than three months from application to approval, and if the product changes even slightly, you have to reapply. For example, if we develop a tank and want to test it, we must apply for the sandbox; if we change the size mid-development, we must apply again. This pace cannot keep up with technology development. Regulations themselves need to be regulated for creativity and innovation to happen. Unless regulatory bodies stop seeing themselves as power holders, even a sandbox will suffocate the field.”
- The future of the hydrogen market and Hylium’s prospects
“The fastest hydrogen commercialization will occur in ground transportation, especially trucks and trams, followed by shipping, and lastly aviation. Liquid hydrogen is optimized for large transport systems. Globally, hydrogen is still in its early stages, but whoever achieves economies of scale first will lead. Hylium’s strategy is to secure the entire value chain. Our goal is not just to provide technology but to become the company that builds the global hydrogen ‘platform.’”
- Three conditions for Korea to become a hydrogen leader
“First, consistent hydrogen policy that does not waver with political changes. Second, bold deregulation to remove obstacles to R&D and commercialization. Third, establishing a talent attraction system—especially allowing foreign technical talent to enter freely. Technology is made by people; if we ignore that, we won’t even place third, let alone first.”
- Suggestions for a “second chance” for failed tech entrepreneurs
“No matter how advanced, technology can fail if timing or market conditions are wrong. Even NVIDIA almost went bankrupt three times. If there’s no personal misconduct, failed entrepreneurs should be given debt restructuring and support from former employers or universities to restart via spin-offs. In the current system, one failure leads to stigma and withdrawal of support, making innovation difficult.”
- What role should large corporations play in the startup ecosystem?
“Large companies shouldn’t just say, ‘We’ll buy it once it’s complete.’ They should engage from the early stages, helping improve design and technology, making early purchases, and assisting with market entry. In the U.S. and Israel, large corporations actively acquire or strategically invest in startups to grow ecosystems. In Korea, large companies tend to prefer overseas startups over domestic ones—this mindset must change.”
- Possibilities for global cooperation in the energy industry
“Korean companies should be more proactive in technology partnerships and joint R&D with Japan, the U.S., and Europe. For example, building liquid hydrogen infrastructure is too large a task for one company alone. It requires standardization and technology sharing to form global consortia. Hylium is collaborating with Japanese firms and preparing market linkages with the U.S. We must define our role within the global ecosystem, not play solo.”
- Most urgent institutional improvements for fostering the hydrogen industry
“First, create special ‘innovation zones’ where existing laws and regulations don’t apply to new technologies. Set only minimal safety boundaries so companies can freely test and try within them. Second, establish a higher supervisory body that can ‘regulate the regulators.’ Right now, deregulation requests are made directly to regulatory agencies, which won’t willingly reduce their power. The sandbox system must also be simplified—taking more than three months for approval is incompatible with product development timelines.”
- Securing talent for Korea’s startup growth
“Top domestic talent is concentrated in medical schools, and engineering graduates mostly join large corporations near Seoul. It’s becoming harder for startups and SMEs to secure excellent talent. We should ease visa restrictions to help outstanding engineers from countries like Vietnam and Indonesia settle in Korea. In particular, foreign hiring quotas should be relaxed for startups that need talent more urgently than large corporations. Current rules like ‘two foreigners per eight Korean employees’ are unrealistic.”
출처 : [서울신문] https://www.seoul.co.kr/news/editOpinion/column/oilmanchuntae/2025/08/14/20250814029001
Seo Young Kim, CEO of Hylium Industries, Officially Selected as ‘Technology Pioneer 2025’ by the World Economic Forum (WEF)
Seo Young Kim, CEO of Hylium Industries, has made his mark on the global stage by being officially selected as a Technology Pioneer 2025 by the World Economic Forum (WEF). The Technology Pioneer award is given annually to founders and leaders of companies whose innovative technologies are expected to lead future industries in cutting-edge fields such as artificial intelligence, clean energy, and biotechnology. Seo Young Kim is the first Korean recipient in the hydrogen energy sector. Past recipients have included Google, Twitter, and Palantir.
After graduating from Yonsei University with a degree in Mechanical Engineering, he earned his master’s and doctoral degrees at KAIST. Since 1996, he has been researching cryogenic liquid hydrogen storage technology at the Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST). The technology he accumulated over more than 20 years as a researcher led to the founding of Hylium Industries in 2014. Hylium is the only company in Korea to have built a liquid hydrogen production and storage system entirely with 100% in-house technology. Notably, its liquid hydrogen drones can fly for more than seven consecutive hours, making them a game-changer in hydrogen-powered unmanned aerial vehicles.
Feature Interview / Seo Young Kim, CEO of Hylium Industries
“Energy policy swaying with every administration must come to an end”
Since the inauguration of the Lee Jae-myung administration, Korea’s energy policy focus has shifted toward “decarbonization” and “eco-friendliness.” In a situation where three challenges—achieving carbon neutrality, transforming the industrial ecosystem, and responding to the global energy crisis—are arriving simultaneously, the starting point for policy design must be, above all else, “voices from the field.”
Selected this year by the WEF as a Technology Pioneer (growth-type innovative company), Seo Young Kim is both an engineer who has delved into cryogenic hydrogen technology for over 20 years and an entrepreneur who has pioneered markets with unwavering determination. he has maintained the belief that “true innovation is turning technology into a product,” linking experiments from the lab to real industry. We spoke with him about the potential of the hydrogen industry as a next-generation energy source, its structural bottlenecks, and the direction of Korean energy policy.
- Background of Hylium’s founding and corporate philosophy
“When we first developed liquid hydrogen technology at a government research institute in 1996, the prevailing reaction was, ‘What would you use this for?’ The consensus was that, apart from rocket fuel, there was no application, so the research was halted. After more than a decade of stagnation, by 2011 the world had changed—hydrogen was increasingly needed for vehicles, drones, and aircraft. While papers and patents are important, I believe a true engineer must make tangible products, so I founded Hylium in 2014. Our philosophy is that ‘the completion of engineering is business’—making hydrogen technology a reality.”
- What makes liquid hydrogen competitive with current technology?
“Liquid hydrogen is smaller in volume than gaseous hydrogen and has superior transport efficiency. It is essential in fields requiring large-scale transportation. Storing hydrogen as a gas takes up too much space for commercialization, and high-pressure tanks have both safety risks and limitations. Liquefaction requires complex technology in temperature, pressure, and safety, making entry barriers high. Hylium’s advantage is the know-how we’ve built over more than 20 years—that’s why we can compete in the global market.”
- Where does Korea’s hydrogen technology and industry stand globally?
“We have sufficient technological capabilities. In particular, the presence of large companies like Hyundai Motor, which have strong hydrogen utilization capabilities, gives us a big advantage. However, the hydrogen industry is not just a technological competition—it’s a competition to build the entire value chain. Production, transport, storage, and utilization all have to be in place. Europe produces a lot of green hydrogen but lacks utilization. Korea already has a hydrogen vehicle utilization base, so if we establish solid distribution and storage, we could be the frontrunner in completing the value chain.”
- Hydrogen vehicles vs. electric vehicles: who will lead future mobility?
“This binary framing of ‘EV or hydrogen vehicle’ is wrong. Just as gasoline and diesel cars each had their roles, EVs will dominate small/passenger vehicles, while hydrogen vehicles will play key roles in heavy trucks, buses, aviation, and shipping—areas that require high power and long range. Hydrogen will also be crucial across the energy system for power storage and intermittency balancing. Even EVs will ultimately depend on hydrogen for electricity generation, so the two are not competitors but coexisting energy sources.”
- The energy industry swings with each administration.
“The composition of genuine energy experts advising each administration is critical. The Moon Jae-in administration promoted hydrogen but neglected nuclear power; the Yoon Suk-yeol administration restored nuclear but didn’t fully understand hydrogen. When policies change with each administration, the entire energy industry is destabilized. Hydrogen is a national strategic industry that requires a long-term vision.”
- How does the current regulatory environment affect new technology development?
“For example, we developed a liquid hydrogen drone, but we cannot sell it in Korea—because there is no law for it. Korea’s ‘positive’ legal system means only what is explicitly allowed is possible. Without legal provisions, even R&D is illegal; the police have even come for on-site inspections. In the U.S. and China, they use a ‘negative’ system—if there’s no law prohibiting it, you can do it, and prohibitions are made later. This difference in speed translates directly into gaps in technological competitiveness.”
- Does the current sandbox system help?
“On the ground, the sandbox feels like another layer of regulation. It takes more than three months from application to approval, and if the product changes even slightly, you have to reapply. For example, if we develop a tank and want to test it, we must apply for the sandbox; if we change the size mid-development, we must apply again. This pace cannot keep up with technology development. Regulations themselves need to be regulated for creativity and innovation to happen. Unless regulatory bodies stop seeing themselves as power holders, even a sandbox will suffocate the field.”
- The future of the hydrogen market and Hylium’s prospects
“The fastest hydrogen commercialization will occur in ground transportation, especially trucks and trams, followed by shipping, and lastly aviation. Liquid hydrogen is optimized for large transport systems. Globally, hydrogen is still in its early stages, but whoever achieves economies of scale first will lead. Hylium’s strategy is to secure the entire value chain. Our goal is not just to provide technology but to become the company that builds the global hydrogen ‘platform.’”
- Three conditions for Korea to become a hydrogen leader
“First, consistent hydrogen policy that does not waver with political changes. Second, bold deregulation to remove obstacles to R&D and commercialization. Third, establishing a talent attraction system—especially allowing foreign technical talent to enter freely. Technology is made by people; if we ignore that, we won’t even place third, let alone first.”
- Suggestions for a “second chance” for failed tech entrepreneurs
“No matter how advanced, technology can fail if timing or market conditions are wrong. Even NVIDIA almost went bankrupt three times. If there’s no personal misconduct, failed entrepreneurs should be given debt restructuring and support from former employers or universities to restart via spin-offs. In the current system, one failure leads to stigma and withdrawal of support, making innovation difficult.”
- What role should large corporations play in the startup ecosystem?
“Large companies shouldn’t just say, ‘We’ll buy it once it’s complete.’ They should engage from the early stages, helping improve design and technology, making early purchases, and assisting with market entry. In the U.S. and Israel, large corporations actively acquire or strategically invest in startups to grow ecosystems. In Korea, large companies tend to prefer overseas startups over domestic ones—this mindset must change.”
- Possibilities for global cooperation in the energy industry
“Korean companies should be more proactive in technology partnerships and joint R&D with Japan, the U.S., and Europe. For example, building liquid hydrogen infrastructure is too large a task for one company alone. It requires standardization and technology sharing to form global consortia. Hylium is collaborating with Japanese firms and preparing market linkages with the U.S. We must define our role within the global ecosystem, not play solo.”
- Most urgent institutional improvements for fostering the hydrogen industry
“First, create special ‘innovation zones’ where existing laws and regulations don’t apply to new technologies. Set only minimal safety boundaries so companies can freely test and try within them. Second, establish a higher supervisory body that can ‘regulate the regulators.’ Right now, deregulation requests are made directly to regulatory agencies, which won’t willingly reduce their power. The sandbox system must also be simplified—taking more than three months for approval is incompatible with product development timelines.”
- Securing talent for Korea’s startup growth
“Top domestic talent is concentrated in medical schools, and engineering graduates mostly join large corporations near Seoul. It’s becoming harder for startups and SMEs to secure excellent talent. We should ease visa restrictions to help outstanding engineers from countries like Vietnam and Indonesia settle in Korea. In particular, foreign hiring quotas should be relaxed for startups that need talent more urgently than large corporations. Current rules like ‘two foreigners per eight Korean employees’ are unrealistic.”