Hwasun County to Implement 'Fine Dust Seasonal Management Program' Through March Next Year

Operation Restrictions on Grade 5 Emission Vehicles

Hwasun County in South Jeolla Province has announced that the 7th Fine Dust Seasonal Management Program will be implemented from December 2025 to March 2026, a period when high concentrations of fine dust are common. During this period, the county is urging caution regarding the operation of grade 5 emission vehicles within its jurisdiction, as restrictions on the operation of such vehicles will be enforced.

According to the county on December 1, the operation restriction zones include all special and metropolitan cities nationwide-including the Seoul metropolitan area (Seoul, Incheon, Gyeonggi), as well as Gwangju, Busan, Daegu, Daejeon, Ulsan, and Sejong. All grade 5 emission vehicles that have not undergone low-emission upgrades across the country will be subject to enforcement.

Aerial view of Hwasun County Office. Provided by Hwasun County

Enforcement hours are from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekdays. If a vehicle is detected by dedicated unmanned enforcement cameras for violating the restrictions, a fine of 100,000 won per day will be imposed.

In particular, as Gwangju Metropolitan City has announced the implementation plan for restricting the operation of grade 5 emission vehicles during the 7th Fine Dust Seasonal Management Program period (December 2025 to March 2026), residents of Hwasun County, which borders Gwangju, should pay special attention to these restrictions.

According to the Gwangju Metropolitan City announcement, emergency vehicles, vehicles with disability permits, vehicles for national merit recipients (prosthetic or livelihood use), vehicles that have undergone low-emission upgrades, and commercial vehicles are exempt from enforcement. Additionally, vehicles owned by recipients of basic living support, low-income groups, and small business owners will be temporarily exempt from enforcement.

No Samsuk, head of the Environmental Department, stated, "We urge everyone to exercise caution when operating grade 5 emission vehicles in enforcement zones during the 7th Fine Dust Seasonal Management Program period to avoid fines and other penalties resulting from violations."