Frequent Fine Dust from December to March: 'Old Vehicle Operation Restriction' Implemented...Fine of 100,000 Won

13 Environmental Bills under the Ministry of Environment Passed in Plenary Session
Legal Basis Established for 'Fine Dust Seasonal Management System'
Expansion of Support Scope for Humidifier Disinfectant Victims, etc.

Asia Economy DB=Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bo-kyung] From December, when high concentrations of fine dust are frequent, until March of the following year, local government heads will be able to implement restrictions on the operation of old vehicles according to local circumstances. A fine of 100,000 won will be imposed for violating vehicle operation restrictions.

On the 6th, the Ministry of Environment announced that 13 bills, including the "Special Act on the Reduction and Management of Fine Dust," which provides the legal basis for the seasonal fine dust management system, were passed at the National Assembly plenary session.

According to the amendment to the Special Act on Fine Dust, the Minister of Environment can request related agencies to adjust the operating rate and hours of air pollution emission facilities, improve the efficiency of prevention facilities, and restrict ship operations from December 1 to March 31.

In the case of vehicle operation restrictions, the mayor or governor of a city or province can implement them through ordinances. The types and scope of vehicles subject to operation restrictions may vary depending on regional circumstances. A fine of 100,000 won will be imposed for violating vehicle operation restriction measures.

The amendment is expected to be promulgated and immediately enforced after approval by the Cabinet meeting in mid-this month. A Ministry of Environment official stated, "We expect the seasonal fine dust management system to be established as a regular system implemented annually, enabling strengthened response measures during periods when high concentrations of fine dust are expected."

The "Humidifier Disinfectant Damage Relief Act," passed on the same day, eases the burden of proof for humidifier victims, expands the scope of relief for victims, and increases support by separately providing benefits according to disability grades.

The amendment includes provisions that presume causality if ▲ exposure to humidifier disinfectants ▲ disease occurrence or aggravation ▲ and an epidemiological correlation between exposure and disease occurrence are confirmed.

It is expected that victims of non-specific diseases with confirmed epidemiological correlations, such as asthma, pneumonia, bronchiectasis, and interstitial lung disease, will find it easier to have causality presumed.

The "Chemical Substances Control Act," which will be enforced one year after promulgation, aims to integrate the previously separately prepared and submitted off-site impact assessment report and risk management plan into a "Chemical Accident Prevention Management Plan."

This administrative simplification is expected to reduce the burden on companies and help strengthen the competitiveness of the materials, parts, and equipment industry promoted by the government.

Other bills passed by the National Assembly include strengthened management measures for various environmental pollution incidents such as the Incheon tap water contamination incident (Water Supply Act), illegal waste exports to the Philippines (Act on the Transboundary Movement of Waste and Its Disposal), and manipulation of measuring instruments at the Yeosu Industrial Complex (Act on Environmental Testing and Inspection, etc.).

The Ministry of Environment stated that it will make every effort to prepare subordinate legislation and provide prior guidance so that the 13 bills can be implemented in a timely manner and lead to tangible benefits for the public.

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