Seoul Metropolitan Area and Yeongseo in Gangwon to Implement Emergency Fine Dust Reduction Measures on 13th...Adjusted Operations at Construction Sites and Business Facilities

Emergency reduction measures will be implemented on February 13 in Seoul, Incheon, Gyeonggi, and the Yeongseo region of Gangwon Province due to high concentrations of fine particulate matter (PM-2.5).

The Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment announced that as of 5 p.m. on February 12 it issued the "Attention" level fine dust crisis alert for these regions and will enforce emergency reduction measures from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. the following day.

The measures were triggered because the alert criteria were met as residual fine dust from the previous day and domestically generated fine dust accumulated under stagnant air conditions, while additional fine dust flowed in from abroad. From midnight to 4 p.m. that day, the average concentration exceeded 50 ㎍/㎥ (micrograms per cubic meter of air), and concentrations are also expected to exceed 50 ㎍/㎥ on February 13, leading authorities to issue the "Attention" level crisis alert.

Under the emergency reduction measures, four of the six coal-fired power generation units in Incheon, excluding two that are under maintenance, will be subject to an 80% cap on power output. Business sites and construction sites operated by the private sector and by administrative and public institutions will also implement reduction measures such as adjusting operating and working hours.

Seoul's Gangnam District appeared hazy on March 13 as air quality nationwide deteriorated sharply due to ultrafine particulate matter and yellow dust. March 13, 2025 Reporter Jo Yongjun

Large-scale emitters, including public facilities such as waste incineration plants, must implement measures such as adjusting operating rates or improving efficiency, while construction sites must strengthen fugitive dust control through measures such as changing or adjusting working hours and installing dust-proof covers. Water spraying and cleaning on urban roads will also be expanded.

Environmental authorities will carry out intensive inspections of illegal incineration of agricultural waste in industrial complexes and other areas with a high concentration of business sites, as well as in rural areas. The Han River Basin Environmental Office, the Capital Region Air Quality Management Office, and the Wonju Regional Environmental Office plan to strengthen enforcement by using advanced monitoring equipment such as drones and mobile measurement vehicles.

From 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. on February 13, the operation of Grade 5 emission vehicles will also be restricted. A fine of 100,000 won will be imposed if violations are detected. Administrative and public institutions will implement an alternate-day vehicle operation system based on license plate numbers.

On the morning of February 13, First Vice Minister Geum Hanseung of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment will hold a joint inspection meeting with relevant ministries and local governments at the Han River Flood Control Office, and then visit the Gangnam Resource Recovery Facility to check on-site implementation. Seoul, Incheon, Gyeonggi, and Gangwon Province will also conduct on-site inspections of key facilities such as incineration plants and construction sites.

Vice Minister Geum said, "As this is the second 'Attention' level high-concentration fine dust crisis alert issued this year, the government will work closely with relevant agencies to thoroughly implement emergency reduction measures to protect public health," and urged, "We ask the public to pay special attention to personal health management by refraining from going outdoors and wearing masks in line with the response guidelines."

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