Government-Local Governments Hold Emergency Fine Dust Inspection Meeting: "Active Measures Including Mask Distribution"

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bo-kyung] As the first high-concentration fine dust emergency reduction measure of the new year was issued, the government and local governments held an emergency meeting to check the fine dust situation.

On the morning of the 4th, Minister of Environment Cho Myung-rae held an emergency disaster response situation review meeting at the Government Sejong Complex with local governments and related ministries in attendance.

Minister Cho said, "Due to atmospheric stagnation, domestic fine dust has accumulated, and with the aggravation of fine dust inflow from abroad, a high concentration phenomenon occurred for the first time this year, mainly in the metropolitan area and Chungcheong region."

The meeting was attended by officials from five provinces and cities where the fine dust emergency reduction measures were issued that day?Chungnam, Chungbuk, Sejong, Jeonbuk, and Gwangju?as well as representatives from 11 ministries including the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and the Ministry of Health and Welfare.

Participants shared the status and plans for emergency reduction measures such as emission reduction at workplaces and construction sites in each city and province, and expanded road cleaning, and discussed ways to strengthen the protection of public health.

Minister Cho urged all agencies to faithfully perform their disaster response duties, maintain a constant communication system between agencies, and actively conduct on-site inspections by agency heads.

In particular, he requested, "Since the emergency reduction measures are implemented over the weekend, please take measures to minimize inconvenience or confusion for the public, adjust the times of outdoor events such as winter festivals and outdoor skating rinks, or actively provide masks to event participants."

Minister Cho emphasized, "High concentrations of fine dust can occur at any time depending on weather conditions such as atmospheric stagnation, so please never let your guard down," and added, "The government must show its best efforts until fine dust improves to a level that the public can feel."

Chungnam, Chungbuk, Sejong, Jeonbuk, and Gwangju exceeded an average ultrafine dust concentration of 50㎍/㎥ the previous day, and since exceeding 50㎍/㎥ was expected that day, emergency reduction measures will be implemented from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.

As of 8 a.m. that day, Chungnam (48㎍/㎥), Chungbuk (50㎍/㎥), Sejong (50㎍/㎥), Jeonbuk (57㎍/㎥), and Gwangju (50㎍/㎥) all showed a fine dust grade of "Bad."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.