Yangju City to Implement 'Fine Dust Seasonal Management System' Until March Next Year

Yangju City, Gyeonggi Province (Mayor Kang Su-hyun) announced on the 3rd that it will implement the ‘6th Seasonal Fine Dust Management Plan’ until March next year, when high concentrations of fine dust frequently occur.

'6th Seasonal Fine Dust Management Program' poster. Provided by Yangju City

The Seasonal Fine Dust Management Plan is a system introduced to implement strengthened fine dust emission reduction measures and public health protection actions from December to March of the following year, the period when high concentrations of fine dust are concentrated.

During the 6th Seasonal Fine Dust Management Plan period, the city will establish detailed tasks divided into six sectors?▲transportation ▲industry ▲daily life for reducing fine dust emissions, and ▲vulnerable facilities ▲vulnerable groups ▲information provision for protecting citizens’ health?and will promote more proactive management policies than usual.

The main initiatives include ▲restricting the operation of Grade 5 emission vehicles ▲intensive crackdown on dust generation at air pollutant emission workplaces and construction sites ▲operation of fine dust intensive management roads and strengthening road cleaning ▲prevention of illegal burning of agricultural waste and residues in rural areas ▲intensive indoor air quality inspection and management enhancement at multi-use facilities for health-vulnerable groups such as daycare centers and nursing homes ▲promotion of energy saving at public institutions and implementation of a two-day vehicle operation system for public institution vehicles during emergency reduction measures.

Among these, during the seasonal management period, Grade 5 vehicles without low-emission devices are restricted from operating on weekdays from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. within the region, and violators will be fined 100,000 KRW per day. However, emergency vehicles, vehicles that cannot be equipped with reduction devices owned by basic livelihood security recipients, lower-income groups, and small business owners are exempt from enforcement.

In addition, to monitor key fine dust emission sources, the city has formed its own inspection team to conduct inspections of air emission businesses, check suspicious emission test centers, and crack down on illegal burning through the operation of private monitors.

Furthermore, in the event of high-concentration fine dust situations, the city will promptly disseminate warning alerts and behavioral guidelines to citizens via electronic display boards in the jurisdiction and activate emergency reduction measures according to the crisis alert level.

To enhance the effectiveness of the policy, the city has organized a general TF team consisting of 13 teams led by the head of the Climate Energy Division, which will collaborate across departments to check implementation status monthly and discuss improvement plans, making every effort to reduce fine dust.

Mayor Kang Su-hyun of Yangju City stated, “We will do our best to protect citizens’ health and create a pleasant air environment through this seasonal management plan,” and added, “We ask for the active participation and cooperation of all citizens.”