[2020 National Audit] Fine Dust Improved by 24%... But 5th Grade Vehicles in the Seoul Metropolitan Area to Be Monitored Starting December

7th Environment Ministry National Audit Report Reveals
Implementation of 2nd Seasonal Management System Including Restrictions on Old Vehicle Operation
Minister Cho Myeong-rae: "Full Preparedness During High Concentration Periods"
"Low Domestic Policy Acceptance... Strengthening Communication with the Public"

Asia Economy DB=Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bo-kyung] This year, the average concentration of fine dust in South Korea was 19㎍/㎥, showing a 24% improvement compared to previous years. However, the Ministry of Environment will begin crackdowns on Grade 5 emission vehicles, including old diesel cars, in the metropolitan area starting this December.

The Ministry of Environment announced this on the 7th during a government audit report at the National Assembly's Environment and Labor Committee. According to the Ministry, the average fine dust concentration up to August this year was 19㎍/㎥, a 24% improvement compared to the same period over the past three years (25㎍/㎥).

The improvement in fine dust concentration is analyzed as a combined result of ▲domestic emission reduction policies ▲meteorological influences ▲and reduced domestic and international activities due to the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19).

In particular, the Ministry of Environment stated that the continuous implementation of fine dust reduction policies such as the seasonal management system from December last year to March this year, and ongoing measures in the industrial, transportation, power generation, and daily life sectors contributed to this improvement.

Minister of Environment Cho Myung-rae said, "We confirmed the effectiveness of the seasonal fine dust management system implemented for the first time last winter in mitigating high concentration occurrences," adding, "We will improve and supplement the seasonal management system to establish a thorough response system for the upcoming high concentration periods."

However, the Ministry noted in the audit report, "A significant number of citizens perceive the improvement in fine dust as being due to reduced emissions from China caused by COVID-19," and "there is a critical view that government efforts and achievements to reduce external factors are insufficient, leading to criticism focused on domestic reduction efforts."

They also expressed concern that if the COVID-19 situation continues, public acceptance of key policies such as restrictions on Grade 5 vehicle operations may decline.

Minister of Environment Cho Myung-rae Photo by Yonhap News

Full-scale Implementation of Seasonal Management System... Restrictions on Grade 5 Vehicles from December

Nevertheless, the Ministry of Environment will implement the '2nd Seasonal Management System' from December this year to March next year. During this period, restrictions on Grade 5 vehicles in the metropolitan area will be fully enforced. The plan is to enhance effectiveness and efficiency by reflecting the evaluation results of the previous seasonal management system.

The main tasks of the 2nd Seasonal Management System include ▲restrictions on Grade 5 vehicles in the metropolitan area ▲strengthening Korea-China cooperation (Clear Sky Plan) ▲responsible disposal system for agricultural by-products ▲and identifying and promoting key tasks by region.

The Ministry stated, "We plan to fully implement restrictions on Grade 5 vehicles in the metropolitan area, which were not enforced during the 1st seasonal management system due to delays in legal amendments." As of January, there are about 680,000 Grade 5 vehicles in the metropolitan area including Seoul, Gyeonggi, and Incheon, of which 470,000 are non-low-emission vehicles.

They will review additional cooperation measures linked to China's autumn fine dust countermeasures and strengthen the implementation of the Clear Sky Plan at the upcoming Korea-China-Japan Environment Ministers' Meeting next month.

To prevent illegal burning in rural areas, local governments will be responsible for disposing of agricultural by-products, while identifying and promoting key tasks tailored to regional characteristics.

The Ministry said, "We will communicate sufficiently with the public regarding quantitative targets of the seasonal management system and secure acceptance by preparing alternatives considering the COVID-19 situation."

"Fine Dust Measures Inadequate" Audit Office Points Out... Improvement Plans to be Prepared

Regarding the audit office's findings last year that the reduction effects were overstated when establishing the comprehensive fine dust management plan, the Ministry of Environment announced it will prepare improvement measures.

In particular, post-management of the diesel particulate filter (DPF) installation project for old diesel vehicles and indoor air quality management in underground stations will be improved early based on research results.

The Ministry stated, "Long-term tasks such as improving the accuracy of air pollutant emission amounts will be gradually improved through strengthened analysis and research by the Fine Dust Information Center."

Asia Economy DB=Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

According to the 'Fine Dust Management Measures Implementation Status' report released by the Audit Office last month, the Ministry of Environment underestimated PM2.5 emissions by about 39,513 tons based on 2016 data.

The reduction effect of PM2.5 was overestimated. Reduction amounts were double-counted or emissions omitted, resulting in overestimations of 5,488 tons for PM2.5, 383,574 tons for nitrogen oxides (NOx), and 12,327 tons for sulfur oxides.

Although vehicles with DPF installed are required to undergo performance inspections, among 59,191 vehicles with DPF, 27.9% (16,583 vehicles) either did not receive inspections or failed to undergo re-inspection after failing.

When establishing fine dust countermeasures for underground stations, no management standards were set for tunnels with the highest fine dust concentrations, and risk assessments for heavy metals generated by friction between train wheels and rails were not conducted.

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