November 26 (Tue), the government explained the preparations of related ministries and local governments and requested the cooperation of the public in advance of the first implementation of the 'Fine Dust Seasonal Management System' for four months from December 1 this year to the end of March next year.

The government ed and announced the Special Measures to Respond to High Levels of Fine Dust with relevant ministries with the aim of introducing the 'seasonal management system' at the 3rd Fine Dust Special Measures Committee (presided by the Prime Minister) On November 1st. 

Immediately after the announcement of the special countermeasures, the Office for Government Policy Coordination has been steadily pursuing the preparation of the seasonal management system of each ministry and local government.

In particular, tasks that directly affect the public's real life, such as the 5th grade restrictions and the alternate no-driving system of the public sector vehicle, were focused on informing the need for implementation and encouraging participation.

Specific preparations are as follows.

<5th Grade Vehicle Operation Restrictions and Alternate No-driving system of Public Vehicles>

First of all, the restriction on the operation of Class 5 vehicles in the Seoul Metropolitan Area will be guided and promoted until January next year according to amendment of the Fine Dust Act, and will be cracked down from February. Regarding this, the Ministry of Environment, Seoul, Incheon and Gyeonggi-do have agreed and are preparing.

However, during this first seasonal management system, it applies to class 5 vehicles registered in the metropolitan area, not to class 5 vehicles nationwide, if you apply for a low pollution measure to a local government, even a Class 5 vehicle will be excluded from the restriction.

-In addition, commercial vehicles and undeveloped vehicles of Diesel Particulate Filter (DPFs) are excluded from enforcement.

The main purpose of limiting class 5 vehicles is to  quickly induce low pollution measures. To this end, we are strengthening publicity by using billboards, banners, regular inspections of vehicles and various guidebooks.

In addition, a related system that enables Class 5 vehicle owners to easily apply for low-pollution measures through the Internet will be established by December this year and application will be accepted from January next year.

Meanwhile, the Fine Dust Act Amendment* to establish a legal basis for the 5th class vehicle's operation restrictions is currently pending in the National Assembly and calling on the National Assembly to proceed an expedited legislative process.

* Representative Shin Chang-hyun's Proposition (Aug.23,2019), Kang Byung won (Sep.10.2019)

In the case of implementing the alternate no-driving system in the public sector, we prepared an implementation guideline so that there would be no confusion in the field, and distributed it to the target institutions (Nov.15), and held briefing sessions* (Nov.21 ~ 22) for the personnel in charge.

* Approx. 300 persons in charge of target organizations located in the metropolitan area and 6 special and metropolitan cities participate in on Nov.21 ~ 22

The target organization of the alternate no-driving system in Public sector are administrative and public organizations* located in the metropolitan area (Seoul, Incheon, Gyeonggi) and six special and metropolitan cities (Busan, Daegu, Gwangju, Daejeon, Ulsan, Sejong). Target vehicles are utility vehicles of administrative and public organizations (organization dedicated or business-use vehicles) and employees' own vehicles. (except for civil complaints).

* Central administrative organization, local governments, public institutions, metropolitan and provincial offices of education and schools, local public corporations, local corporations, national university hospitals

-The exclusion target for public institutions' alternate no-driving system operates the same as the exclusion target* for the existing no-driving system on a day of the week.

* Light cars, eco-friendly cars, vehicles used by vulnerable groups such as pregnant women, infants, and the disabled, special purpose vehicles such as police and firefighting, vehicles in the area not operated by public transportation, vehicles exclusively permitted by the head of the agency, etc.

During the seasonal management system, the government will install posters and signboards on the vehicle entrances of the target institutions at all times, and the Ministry of Environment will conduct regular checks on the compliance status of the target institutions.

<Enhancing management of Business Sector>

A private inspection team was formed for the first time this year to expand monitoring personnel for the emission of fine dust at the workplace. Since the launching of the Gangwon-do inspection team* on November 15, more than 470 people are in activity in the country.

By the end of this year, the government plans to increase the number of inspectors to 700. It will continue to operate the inspection team in the future, not just a one-off event this year, and will maintain 1,000 inspectors** from next year.

* Schedule for launching private inspection teams in each region (Gangwon area launched on Nov.15, Chungcheong area Nov.27 due, Honam area, Yeongnam area, metropolitan area Dec.3 ~ 6 due)

** '2020 demand survey results (Aug. ~ Sep.2019), 1,020 applicants from 17 cities and provinces

In addition, the Ministry of Environment and the Korea Environment Corporation will utilize special experts and high-tech surveillance equipment and conduct special inspections on the fine dust emission sources for extended periods (Nov.2019 ~ May. 2020).

Since November, the government has been inspecting the metropolitan area and Yeongnam area through 3 sets of drones and mobile measuring vehicles.

By the end of the year, the government plans to increase the volume of drones and mobile measuring vehicles to 14 sets across the country, and add two unmanned aerial vehicle and one spectroscopy equipment to increase the effectiveness of illegal emissions monitoring.

-The unmanned aerial vehicle is equipped with sensor measuring air pollutant (fine dust, SOx, NOx, VOCs, etc.) sensor and measures the air pollution level above the emission source and plans to operate around the national industrial complex across the country.

-Spectroscopy equipment is an instrument that can measure the concentration of pollutants in the air at a long distance by using optical sensors such as infrared rays and ultraviolet rays. Overseas production organizations and the National Institute of Environmental Sciences, which have been in progress since September, will be put into the field inspection for the first time in Korea after reviewing the applicability of the site.

Meanwhile, the government will release emission information in pilot from the Tele-Monitoring System (TMS) of large-scale workplaces such as iron making, steel manufacturer, private power generation, and petrochemicals from December 1st, and will make efforts to further reduce workplace emissions with the industry.

<Outline of voluntary agreement for large-sized workplaces: Conclusion of relay agreements by industry in December>

① (Target) Around 100 companies in 11 industries including cement, petrochemical, refining, power generation and construction

② (Details) △ Additional emission reduction according to the characteristics of each industry, △ TMS information test release, △ Release of scattering dust measurement information at construction sites and restrictions on the use of old construction equipment

To this end, the ministry has held nine meetings for each industry since the end of October to form a consensus on participation of the industry and to discuss the contents of the agreement. Going forward, the ministry plans to cooperate in order to enhance transparency on the management status of workplace and respond to fine dust.

The ministry will also make pre-announcement of legislation regarding amendments to the Enforcement Decree of the Clean Air Conservation Act to provide incentives such as reduction of basic charges to companies actively participating in the reduction of fine dust.

<Strengthening management of power generation and agriculture sector>

In order to reduce the emission of fine dust in the power generation field, the ministry will stop the operation of coal power plants and implement the upper limit restrictions. The ministry will also take measures to ensure the stability of the electricity supply and demand.

First of all, the power exchange central power control center identifies the status of coal power plant shutdowns and implementation of upper limit restriction in real time.

In addition, during the winter electricity supply and demand measures period (Dec.1 ~ Feb.29), the government plans to install and operate the “power supply and demand situation room” in ministry of trade, industry and energy to monitor the supply and demand situation in real time in cooperation with KEPCO, power exchange, and power companies.

Meanwhile, the ministry plans to thoroughly manage agricultural by-products that have been left for a long time during the seasonal management system to prevent illegal incineration.

During the two periods of massive agricultural waste generation (November-December, February-March), the ministry will intensively collect and process and the relay education and promotion, which began on November 20, will be continued* for local field officials.

* (Nov.20, Daejeon) Livestock Sector, (Dec.3, Daejeon) Farm Machinery, (Dec.5, Daejeon) Rural Area Incineration, (Dec.2, Sejong) Beautiful Farming Campaign

From Nov. 25, the ministry began distributing 100,000 copies of the leaflet, which contains tips for farmers on how to respond to high-density fine dust.

<National Health Protection>

The installation rate of air purifiers in kindergartens, schools (including elementary, middle, high, and special) nationwide is currently around 88% (as of Nov. 26), with the goal of completing the installation in all 270,000 classrooms by the end of the year.

In addition, all schools nationwide are conducting their own implementation of the high-concentration air pollution response manual, and maintaining and managing air purifiers, and taking corrective measures.

In addition, the city, provincial offices of education, watershed, and local environment offices conducted special inspections (Nov.4 to 22) for 200 schools nationwide to encourage schools to respond to fine dust.

In addition, the ministry provides masks to the sensitive and vulnerable for fine dust and seamlessly conducts education and promotion on behavioral tips when high concentration fine dust occurs.

The ministry provides masks to 2.53 million people (low-income people and 2.34 million and 190,000 outdoor workers), including low-income workers and outdoor workers on a par with  basic living beneficiaries. The ministry takes measures to prevent the occurrence of health hazards caused by fine dust.

From Nov. 11, the ministry started to send fine dust-based health care guidelines videos* through the signs of the National Cooperation Hospital (1,056) and public transportation (8,000 G-buses, 70 KTX). The ministry will continue to call for the attention of the vulnerable.

* Action tip guide videos for patients with cardio-cerebrovascular disease, respiratory disease, asthma

Inspection of indoor air quality management on multi-use facilities (underground stations, daycare centers, nursing homes, etc.) will be expanded* compared to the previous year.

* The target inspection rate for 4 months (Dec.2019 ~ Mar.2020) during the high concentration period was about 13% (5,956 / 45,817), which is significantly higher than the annual inspection rate of 5.7% (2,443 / 42,487) during the period from Jan. to Dec. 2017.

The local government (including joint inspection of the Ministry of Environment and Ministry of Health and Welfare) will closely check the operation status of ventilation or air purification facilities, filter cleaning, maintenance, and management. It plans to carry out field guidance including recommendations and corrective actions for unsuitable facilities.

<Fine Dust Weekly Forecast>

Starting from November 27th, the government will conduct a pilot service for weekly forecast on the ultra-fine dust (PM2.5) in addition to the current three-day forecast at 5:30 pm on a daily basis.

So far, the fine dust forecast is four times a day(05, 11, 17, 23:00) On the 3 days (today, tomorrow, the day after tomorrow), it provided information in 4 grades (Good / Normal / Bad / Very Bad) for 19 regions across the country.

The weekly forecast will provide forecasting information of ultrafine dust (PM2.5) concentrations of 2 grades (low / high)* for the next 4 days after the current 3-day forecast period.

* (Low) below 35μg/㎥ of PM2.5 concentration, (High) above 35μg/㎥ of PM2.5 concentration 

When it comes to weekly forecast, two days of the four day forecasts are targeting 19 regions* nationwide, and the remaining two days are targeted to six regions nationwide**. It also provides confidence (high / medium / low) on the maintainability of weekly forecasts.

* 19 regions: 15 cities, provinces + Gyeonggi South / North + Gangwon, Yeongseo / Yeongdong

** 6 regions: metropolitan area, Gangwon, Chungcheong, Honam, Yeongnam, Jeju area

The weekly forecast is expected to help the government and local governments to prepare for high concentrations of fine dust such as emergency reduction measures, and to help the public to plan outdoor activities.

The weekly forecast can be found at Air Korea (www.airkorea.or.kr) of the Ministry of Environment.

<Operation of situation management system at the pan-government level>

In order to reinforce the on-site execution of fine dust seasonal management system, the government will install and operate a comprehensive inspection team at the pan-government level including major ministries centered around the Office for Government Policy Coordination such as Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, and Ministry of Public Administration and Security.

During the implementation of the seasonal management system, the government plans to check and manage the implementation status by five countermeasure teams including reduction team, power generation team, and protection team.

Meanwhile, within the Ministry of Environment, which is the ministry responsible for dealing with fine dust, the Fine Dust Comprehensive Situation Room (Head: Vice-Minister of Environment) is to start in full operation from early December.

During the Seasonal Management System, seven full-time workers are responsible for checking the implementation of seasonal management and responding to high-density emergency measures and assist comprehensive support team of the Office for Government Policy Coordination.

In addition, when high-level fine dust crisis s are issued, the government plans to maintain a total response system by adding around 50 employees of the Air Quality Policy Bureau of the Ministry of Environment regardless of their duties.

The Minister of Environment, Cho Myung-rae,  said, "the government will closely examine the preparations for every details of the fine dust season management system and thoroughly manage it to prevent unexpected problems in the field."

"In addition, I would like to ask for your interest and participation so that the people and the government can be united to wisely cope with fine dust of high concentration."