Prime Minister Lee Nak-yon (second from right) on Oct. 31 poses for a group selfie while on the nation's first fuel cell police bus with a group of police officers in front of Seoul's National Museum of Korean Contemporary History. (Yonhap News)

By Kang Gahui and Lee Hana

Prime Minister Lee Nak-yon on Oct. 31 joined a group of police officers in introducing the country's first fuel cell police bus.

Last year on Oct. 24 during an inspection meeting for national affairs, Lee had asked that all police buses based in Seoul's downtown area of Gwanghwamun Square be replaced with those running on hydrogen fuel cells. A little over a year later, the first such bus was shown to the public.

"By 2028, all police buses will be those powered by hydrogen fuel cells. The new buses will not only improve working conditions for police officers but also create a better environment for Seoul residents," he said during his visit.

Police buses using conventional internal combustion engines are typically left idle by the roadside for extended periods of time, creating noise and air pollution that civilians have long complained about. The new model, however, makes little noise and releases no harmful gases.

One model was parked on Oct. 31 by Gwanghwamun Square and another by the National Assembly in Seoul's Yeouido area for public viewing.

The Korean National Police Agency will purchase two fuel cell buses next year and gradually replace all police buses with the new model by 2021. Plans for introducing fuel cell patrol cars are also under review.

With the administration pushing for the development of vehicles running on hydrogen fuel cells to reduce particulate matter in the air and pioneer the future car market, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy announced a plan to develop eco-friendly vehicles by 2030 including fuel cell maintenance trucks.

Prime Minister Lee Nak-yon (center) on Oct. 31 attends a signing ceremony for the adoption of fuel cell police buses in front of the National Museum of Korean Contemporary History in Seoul. (Hyundai Motor Company)

kgh89@korea.kr