Starting Next Month, Seoul Region Implements 'Fine Dust Seasonal Management System' ... Operation Restriction on Grade 5 Vehicles

100,000 KRW Fine for Nationwide Grade 5 Vehicles... Refunds and Cancellations for Low Emission Measures
Reducing Emissions from Transport, Heating, and Workplaces in Seoul to Minimize Citizen Exposure
Crackdown on Inadequate Private Vehicle Inspection Centers and Full Expansion of Old Construction Equipment Inspections

[Asia Economy Reporter Jo In-kyung] From December 1st this year until the end of March next year, Grade 5 emission vehicles will not be allowed to drive throughout Seoul and the metropolitan area.

The Seoul Metropolitan Government announced on the 8th the 'Seasonal Fine Dust Management System' consisting of 13 measures across 4 major areas, including a complete driving restriction on Grade 5 vehicles throughout Seoul.

First, regardless of where the vehicle is registered nationwide, if a Grade 5 vehicle that has not undergone low-emission measures is caught driving in the metropolitan area, a fine of 100,000 KRW per day will be imposed once per day. The driving ban hours are from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekdays, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays. However, emergency vehicles such as fire trucks and ambulances, as well as vehicles for the disabled, are exempt from enforcement. Additionally, if a restricted vehicle is caught but completes the low-emission measures by November 30th next year, the fine will be refunded or canceled.

Since August, the city has conducted five rounds of mock enforcement for Grade 5 vehicles, each lasting 1 to 2 weeks per month, sending real-time text messages and individual notices to the targeted vehicles to inform drivers of the enforcement. In November, the month before the seasonal management system is implemented, intensive mock enforcement will be conducted to help drivers prepare.

At 105 city-operated parking lots throughout Seoul, parking fees for all Grade 5 vehicles nationwide (excluding low-emission vehicles, national merit recipients, and disabled vehicles) will be increased by 50%. Special enforcement will also target private vehicle inspection centers suspected of poor inspections, as well as vehicles with emission control devices (DPF) removed, excessive idling, and emission violations.

The city will also provide 10,000 mileage points to approximately 150,000 members of the Passenger Car Mileage program who drive less than 1,850 km, which is 50% of the 4-month average driving distance in Seoul (3,700 km) during the seasonal management period. Accumulated mileage points can be used for local tax payments, purchasing mobile book or cultural gift certificates, donations, and more.

In addition, to reduce emissions from the heating (fuel combustion) sector, which accounts for 31% of fine dust sources in Seoul, the city will expand the distribution of eco-friendly boilers for households, provide 'Eco Mileage Special Points' to 1.16 million member households, and closely manage appropriate heating temperatures in energy-intensive buildings.

The Seoul Metropolitan Government will also conduct comprehensive inspections of dust-generating workplaces and expand restrictions on the use of old construction machinery from construction sites with orders exceeding 10 billion KRW to all city-commissioned construction sites. To minimize citizens' exposure to fine dust, the city will expand the designation of 'priority management roads' to strengthen street cleaning and conduct special indoor air quality inspections focused on public transportation facilities.

Jung Soo-yong, Head of the Climate and Environment Headquarters, stated, "Based on the revised 'Special Act on Fine Dust,' this year we aim to enhance the fine dust reduction effect by fully implementing the driving restriction on Grade 5 vehicles throughout Seoul and the metropolitan area." He added, "We ask all citizens to take an interest and actively participate."

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