Home
> Research Information
> Particulate Matter
> Efforts for Particulate Matter Reduction
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