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Efforts for Particulate Matter Reduction

  •  The South Korean government established the Comprehensive Plan for Managing PM (2020-2024) that sets goals for domestic air pollutant emissions reduction, strengthening of international cooperation, public health protection, policy planning, and public awareness-raising.
  • The plan consists of 5 sectors, 42 tasks, 177 subtasks, and KRW 20.2 trillion (about USD 18.7 billion) is assigned to achieve the above goals.

To reduce annual mean concentrations of PM2.5 by 35% compared to 2016

Annual mean concentrations of PM2.5 across the country: 26 ㎍/㎥ in 2016 → 16 ㎍/㎥ in 2024

1. Domestic Emissions Reduction

  • Industry
    • Designation of excessive PM-generating places as Air Quality Management Areas (AQMAs)
    • Application of Stricter standards for PM emissions from places of business, and rearrange emission management system
    • Stricter oversight of emissions from places of business and clampdowns
  • Road
    • Acceleration of removing old diesel-powered cars from the road
    • Stricter inspection for diesel-powered cars
    • Promotion of low emission cars
  • Non-Road
    • Reduction of PM emissions from ships and ports
    • Establishment of stricter standards for construction and agricultural machinery
    • Pushing for reducing PM emissions from airports
  • Energy
    • Enforcement of intensive reduction measures during a period of high  PM levels (December - next March)
    • Upgrading of coal-fired power plants
    • Preparation for transition from fossil fuels toward eco-friendly energy
  • Agriculture and Everyday Activities
    • Prevention of illegally incineration in rural areas
    • Enforcement of stricter rules for the livestock ‧ farming sectors to properly manage ammonia
    • Support for replacing old boilers with eco-friendly ones

2. International Cooperation

  • Establishment of a platform for Northeast Asian countries to jointly respond to air pollution
  • Joint research program about the transboundary movement of air pollutants
  • Strengthening of bilateral cooperation and joint response for tackling air pollution with neighboring countries

3. Public health Protection

  • Implementation of Seasonal PM Management System
  • On site inspection for compliance to protect the vulnerable
  • Expansion of facilities subject to mandatory installation of ventilation apparatus

4. Policy Planning

  • Upgrading of statistics system for emissions and identification of causes
  • Comprehensive analysis for PM reduction
  • Strengthening of national R&D capability to improve mid- to long-term PM pollution response

5. Public Awareness-raising

  • Provision of education tailored to different life stages
  • Active promotion of PM issues to the public
  • Encouragement of public participation by offering diverse hands-on experience programs

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