South Korea entered its second consecutive day of severe ultrafine dust pollution on Wednesday, prompting authorities to impose restrictions on government-owned vehicles, coal power plants, and other major dust-emitting facilities, according to media reports.
The influx of fine dust particles from abroad has exacerbated the situation, as the levels of ultrafine dust, known as PM 2.5, are expected to remain “bad” nationwide throughout the day, with the exception of Jeju Island and certain east coastal regions, according to the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA).
KMA anticipates PM 2.5 concentrations to spike to “very bad” levels in areas such as Seoul, southern Gyeonggi Province, western Gangwon Province, the central city of Sejong, and North Chungcheong Province during the morning hours.
As of 8 a.m., ultrafine dust advisories were in effect nationwide, excluding the southern regions of South Gyeongsang and South Jeolla provinces.
South Korea categorizes PM 2.5 levels above 35 micrograms per cubic meter as “bad” and levels exceeding 75 micrograms as “very bad,” while the World Health Organization recommends keeping PM 2.5 levels below 25 micrograms per cubic meter.
In response, nine local governments, including those in the Seoul metropolitan area, implemented emergency measures such as a mandatory alternate no-driving system for public vehicles, restrictions on old diesel cars, and reduced operations of coal power plants and certain factories.
The poor air quality is expected to persist nationwide until Thursday, when the arrival of northerly winds is forecast to improve conditions, the KMA stated.