Facing Pollution in Seoul, South Korea Sets Shorter Deadline for Air Quality Standards

摘要

South Korea moved up the target year for achieving European standards of urban air quality from 2024 to 2021 in response to the worsening pollution in the capital region in and around Seoul, the Ministry of Environment and five other ministries said June 3. According to the ministries' plan, limiting pollution of PM-2.5 particles (those smaller than 2.5 microns) to 20 micrograms per cubic meter of air will be set for 2021 instead of 2024. Air quality in the capital city of Seoul will be improved from the current 23 micrograms of PM-2.5 per cubic meter in 2015 to 18 micrograms in 2026, similar to air quality in Paris and London, if the 2021 target is met. The plan does not require parliamentary action and goes into effect immediately.