South Korea's Air Pollution: A Serious Problem

South Korea's air quality is a serious issue, with Seoul being named one of the world's cities with the worst air pollution. The country's rapid industrialization, increasing number of cars on the road, and reliance on coal plants and diesel fuel have all contributed to the problem. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), no city in Korea has been able to meet the recommended annual average PM2.5 concentration. The air pollution has severe health implications for residents, with increasing PM2.5 pollution linked to cancer, heart disease, pneumonia, and low birth weight. It is also estimated to cause economic damage of about $9 billion a year. While neighboring China is often blamed for the dirty air in Korea, data suggests that a significant portion of the pollution comes from domestic sources.

South Korea's rapid industrialization

In the 1960s, South Korea began its transition from an agrarian economy to an industrial one, and this shift laid the groundwork for the country's subsequent industrialization and economic growth. As South Korea's economy expanded, various forms of pollution increased proportionately, particularly in densely populated cities like Seoul. This rapid industrialization, coupled with a growing reliance on fossil fuels and an increase in vehicle emissions, has led to a deterioration in air quality over the years.

The burning of fossil fuels, such as coal, for energy production has been a significant contributor to air pollution in South Korea. The country's use of coal-fired power plants releases hazardous gases, including nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, particulates, and hydrocarbons, into the atmosphere. Additionally, the number of vehicles on the road has been steadily increasing, leading to higher emissions of nitrogen dioxide and other pollutants from exhaust gases. South Korea's growing economy has also resulted in an increase in imports and exports, further contributing to fossil fuel combustion and associated emissions.

The impact of industrialization on air quality is evident in the health and environmental problems faced by South Koreans. The pollution has affected outdoor activities, with organizations like the Korea Baseball Organization adjusting their regulations to account for severe fine dust warnings. The air pollution has also had economic repercussions, with local studies estimating the economic damage caused by lost production to be about $9 billion annually, with a prediction that this will double by 2060.

Furthermore, South Korea's industrialization has led to a situation where, according to the University of Chicago's Energy Policy Institute (EPIC), the average South Korean can expect to lose approximately 1.4 years of their life expectancy due to poor air quality. This is particularly notable in Seoul, where residents are expected to lose 1.7 years of life expectancy if pollution levels are not improved. The pollution has been linked to various health issues, including respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, low birth weight, and increased mortality rates.

While South Korea has taken steps to address air pollution, such as focusing on diesel emissions reduction, the country continues to grapple with the consequences of its rapid industrialization and the associated environmental challenges.

Fossil fuel combustion

South Korea's air pollution is caused by a combination of domestic and international factors, with fossil fuel combustion being the largest contributor. The country has very few natural resources and relies heavily on fossil fuels to meet its energy demands. Oil accounts for 38% of its primary energy supply, coal for 29%, and gas for 15%.

The burning of these fossil fuels releases hazardous gases such as oxides of nitrogen, carbon monoxide, particulates, and hydrocarbons into the atmosphere. Conventional power plants, which generate energy by combusting fossil fuels, are a major source of pollution in South Korea. The country has 57 coal-fired plants, which account for 41.9% of its total electricity generation. The government has announced plans to close or renovate 30 of these plants by 2034, with a target of reducing fine dust concentrations by over 35% by 2030.

The increase in pollution is also attributed to the growing number of vehicles on Korea's roads. The expanding economy has led to a rise in delivery vehicles, particularly those powered by diesel, which is a significant source of pollution in urban areas. In addition to domestic sources, international factors also play a role in South Korea's air pollution. China's rapidly growing economy has led to the burning of approximately 4 billion tons of coal annually, contributing up to 50% of the PM2.5 particles in South Korean air. This issue is exacerbated during the colder months when air currents are slower, trapping pollutants in the atmosphere.

The health effects of long-term exposure to air pollution are significant in South Korea. Studies have linked air pollution to increased mortality, particularly from cardiovascular causes. The impact varies based on factors such as sex, health behaviours, and socioeconomic status. To address these issues, the South Korean government has implemented various measures, including regulatory limits on air pollutants and hazardous substances. The air pollution control market in South Korea was valued at $4.8 billion in 2020, reflecting the country's efforts to improve air quality.

Vehicle emissions

South Korea's rapid industrialization has resulted in a significant increase in air pollution, particularly in Seoul and other major cities. Vehicle emissions are a major contributor to this issue. Seoul, for instance, has the largest number of registered vehicles in the country, resulting in various traffic problems and environmental issues. The concentration of nitrogen dioxide, often produced by vehicle exhaust gases, has been a particular cause for concern.

The South Korean government has implemented various measures to tackle vehicle emissions and improve air quality. The Special Act on Seoul Metropolitan Air Quality Improvement, enacted in 2003, aimed to reduce annual PM10 and NO2 concentrations. While the number of cars in South Korea has continued to rise, stronger emission regulations have led to a gradual decrease in nitrogen dioxide levels since 2007. The government is also working to replace diesel buses with natural gas vehicles and provide emission-reduced devices for cars.

In addition to regulatory efforts, South Korea is promoting the use of eco-friendly vehicles to reduce vehicular emissions. The expansion of the market share of eco-friendly vehicles is a key strategy in the country's efforts to improve air quality. The government has also introduced regulatory limits on air pollutants and hazardous substances, with a focus on diesel emissions reduction.

Despite these efforts, air pollution remains a serious problem in South Korea. Seoul, in particular, has been ranked as one of the world's cities with the worst air pollution by organizations like NASA and IQAir. The high levels of particulate matter (PM) in the air have been linked to health issues, with an estimated 16% of all deaths in Seoul attributed to air pollution.

To further combat this issue, the Korean government has set ambitious goals. By 2030, they plan to lower fine dust concentrations by over 35% compared to 2018 levels. They are also taking steps to improve air quality in public facilities and schools by providing air purification systems.

Dust storms

South Korea is affected by dust storms, also known as "Yellow Dust" or "Hwang Sa", which occur annually in northeast Asia. These storms originate in the arid and semi-arid regions of northern China and Mongolia, including the Gobi Desert, and are carried by strong winds to the Korean Peninsula. The dust is composed of fine particles that can be inhaled, aggravating air pollution and causing respiratory issues. The storms also carry industrial pollutants, viruses, fungi, bacteria, and heavy metals, posing additional health risks and damaging crops and soil.

The dust storms have been recorded in Korea for centuries, with the first record dating back to the reign of the Silla Dynasty's King Ahdalla in 174 AD. At that time, they were believed to be a sign of divine anger. Today, they continue to have significant impacts on the country. During periods of high dust concentration, people are advised to limit their outdoor activities, particularly the elderly, the young, and those with respiratory conditions. The Korea Baseball Organization has also included provisions to cancel or suspend games in cases of severe dust warnings.

The economic impact of these dust storms is substantial, with local studies estimating the economic damage caused by air pollution, including dust storms, at about $9 billion per year. This damage is largely due to lost production and is predicted to double by 2060. The dust storms also affect other sectors, such as tourism, as popular destinations like Chiang Mai in Thailand have experienced periods of severe air pollution due to the combination of wildfires and the impact of sandstorms originating from China.

To mitigate the effects of dust storms, China and South Korea have collaborated on initiatives such as tree-planting to combat desertification. However, the effectiveness of these measures remains to be seen, as reports indicate that many newly planted trees have been overwhelmed by sand and dust storms. The increasing frequency and severity of dust storms highlight the importance of global cooperation in addressing ecological challenges that transcend national borders.

Public perception and misinformation

Public perception of air pollution in South Korea has been affected by misinformation, which has interfered with the public's understanding of the issue and influenced their behaviour.

There is a perception among the South Korean public that China is the major culprit for the country's poor air quality. This perception is not supported by data from the National Institute of Environmental Research (NIER) and NASA, which indicates that 52% of the fine dust in Seoul comes from South Korean domestic factories, while only 34% comes from western China. However, in 2013, Seoul did suffer from unusually high concentrations of ultrafine dust that came from China, and this may have contributed to the public's association of fine dust with China.

News articles and comments on fine dust with reference to China increased from late 2015 to mid-2019, which influenced interest groups in Korea and amplified the trend. The public's perception of China as the main contributor to South Korea's air pollution may also be due to shared information bias and collective unconscious. Shared information bias refers to the tendency of people to focus on information that they already know, and collective unconscious refers to the common conceptions and reactions that are formed by the public as a whole.

The spread of misinformation about air pollution in South Korea has had tangible impacts. For example, there is a thriving market for pollution masks, which are uncomfortable and generate pollution when produced and waste when thrown away. Additionally, in 2018, public transportation was made free in Seoul during three days of high pollution to decrease the use of cars, but this measure failed to make a significant difference.

The case of air quality in South Korea highlights the importance of addressing misinformation and engaging with the public to promote effective behaviour changes. By understanding the psychology behind the gap between reality and public perception, scientists and policymakers can develop strategies to combat misinformation and encourage collective action to improve air quality.

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