Sejong, December 9 - The Ministry of Environment (Minister Han Wha-jin), together with seventeen cities, provincial governments, and Korea Environment Corporation, will crack down on vehicle emissions during the 4th fine dust seasonal management program from December 5 in over 600 spots nationwide.

The primary targets are diesel cars that emit large amounts of fine particles. The crackdown will occur in heavy traffic areas, including bus terminals (intra- and inter-city buses), school zone, bus garages, logistics centers, ports, and airports. Idling vehicles are also subject to the crackdown. Buses, school buses, and trucks powered by diesel engines will be asked to stop to measure their emission levels with emission-measuring devices or video cameras. Using remote measuring devices, Korea Environment Corporation will crack down on gasoline and LPG vehicles running on main roads in the air pollution control zone, including the greater Seoul area. KECO will monitor the emission levels of vehicles in high-traffic areas, such as intersections in the Seoul metropolitan area, Busan, Daegu, Gwangju, and Daejeon, using portable remote measuring devices. When vehicles pass by a checkpoint, these devices automatically measure the emission density with infrared light (for hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, and carbon dioxide) and UV light (for nitrogen oxides).

All drivers are mandated to comply with the crackdown. Those failing to respond, avoiding, or obstructing the program's operation are subject to administrative fines of up to KRW 2 million. An administrative penalty of not more than KRW 1 million will be imposed on idling vehicles as per the ordinances of local governments.

Hwang In-mok, Director of the Transportation Environment Division, said, "The goal of the crackdown is to prevent the emissions of fine particles from vehicles during winter. Drivers should thoroughly check their vehicles' exhaust systems to reduce fine particles."

Contact: Hong Min-gang, Deputy Director

Transportation Environment Division / +82-(0)44-201-6928

Foreign Media Contact: Chun Minjo(Rachel)

+82-(0)44-201-6055 / rachelmchun@korea.kr