7th Seasonal Fine Dust Management Plan
The government has decided to lower the average concentration of ultrafine dust this winter to 19㎍/㎥, a 5% improvement compared to the previous 6th period (20㎍/㎥).
On November 25, the government held the 17th Special Fine Dust Countermeasure Committee meeting at the Government Complex Seoul, presided over by Prime Minister Kim Minseok, and reviewed the "7th Seasonal Fine Dust Management Plan" to be implemented from next month through March of next year. According to the plan, the government aims to reduce ultrafine dust and its precursors in winter by an additional 2% compared to last year, targeting a reduction of about 129,000 tons.
Accordingly, for public coal-fired power plants, up to 17 units will be suspended-two more than last year's plan-and up to 46 units will operate at a restricted output of 80%.
Monitoring and on-site inspections will also be strengthened. During the seasonal management period, the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment will temporarily appoint additional environmental inspectors to increase enforcement personnel, and will operate a one-stop inspection and enforcement system for suspected illegal emission sites using AI and big data-based smart monitoring equipment.
On the 25th, when fine dust advisories were issued across the metropolitan area including Seoul and Incheon as well as various parts of the country, Cheongna International City is seen shrouded in fine dust from the Ara Tower Observatory in Seo-gu, Incheon. March 25, 2025. Photo by Kang Jinhyung
In the transportation sector, restrictions on the operation of grade 5 emission vehicles in the metropolitan area and the six major metropolitan cities will remain in place, as was the case last year. To further expand electric and hydrogen vehicles, the Ministry and its affiliated agencies will launch a pilot project for parking spaces exclusively for eco-friendly vehicles, in addition to mandatory charging zones.
In addition, facilities for sensitive and vulnerable groups, such as daycare centers, nursing homes, and schools, will undergo on-site inspections of indoor air quality conducted jointly by relevant ministries, and support will be provided for replacing air purification facilities.
In Seoul, Gyeonggi, Busan, Sejong, and other regions, the use of old construction equipment will be restricted at all construction sites, and large-scale construction sites in the metropolitan area (with a total floor area of 10,000㎡ or more) will be required to continuously monitor dust concentrations.
The government announced that the Office for Government Policy Coordination will oversee the implementation of these measures, and that emergency actions will be taken according to guidelines at each crisis alert level if high concentrations of fine dust occur.
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