The Terra Satellite/MODIS image taken on March 20, 2001 shows a massive band of yellow sand ("hwangsa" in Korean). Every spring, massive amounts of yellow sand, which originated in Gobi and Taklamakan deserts, moves to Korea causing numerous health, agricultural and the environmental problems.

On March 21-22, 2002, severe yellow sand phenomenon occurred in Korea, raising the level of particulate matters upto 20 times higher than the usual, and reducing the visibility down to 1.5 km in Seoul, which is 1/10 of the average. With the wind blowing at 3 km per second, yellow sand that grabbed Korea on March 21st was one of the worst yellow sand phenomenon on our recorded history. About 30 domestic flights were cancelled due to low visibility, and elementary schools and kindergartens closed on March 21,and 22.


The Korean Meterological Administration (KMA) recommended that people, especially the elderly and children, spend less time outdoors and keep all windows down. When in outdoors, people are advised to wear masks, glasses, and/or other physical equipment to protect their eyes, skin and respiratory organs from exposure to yellow sand, as the dust particles borne by the wind can trigger irritations. They should also bathe and gargle upon getting indoors.

Yellow sand, also called yellow dust, Asian dust, or sandstorm, gathers above the inland deserts of Gobi and Taklamakan in northern China, by the convection of currents of warm and cold air that sweeps soil particles up to high altitudes. It rises to a height of 3 to 5 km before blowing eastward at some 30 meters per second, crossing the Yellow Sea and arriving in Korea.


The phenomena have long been occurring in China, Japan and Korea and dubbed as the "uninvited spring guests". The phenomenon used to occur 3.3 days a year on average. The phenomenon has been occurring more often recently as 6,10,27 days in 1999, 2000, 2001 respectively.

Yellow sand often causes health problems such as eye and respiratory illnesses, such as conjunctivitis, Rhinitis, and asthma. Yellow sand also hinders the operation of precision machines and impairs the growth of agricultural products. On the other hand, yellow sand might neutralize acid rain, soil and lakes by its alkalic substances.

Yellow sand issue was discussed in Tripartite Environmental Ministers'' Meeting (TEMM), and related projects are conducted in order to mitigate the yellow sand problem. As one of the projects, the Joint Research for Long-range Transboundary Air Pollutant in Northeast Asia (1999-2004) conducts research on the movement and the amount of Sulfur dioxide, Ozone, Nitrogen oxide, and particulate matters. National Institute of Environmental Research (NIER) took aerial photographs on March 7-12 and April 17-24 in 2002 in order to study on the long-range air pollutants.

Since the desertification in Northwest China aggravates the yellow sand phenomena, MOE considers to supporting a model project on Ecological Restoration in Northwest China, which is under the review by Korea, Japan and China governments upon the decision of the second TEMM in Beijing in 2000. The project is aimed at developing a model case to combat the desertification of Northwestern China and restoring its eco-system. In addition, Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade, and Forest Service support reforestration project in Northwest China in 2001-2005 with 5 million dollars budget.