China asked to tackle fine dust in Korea
President Moon Jae-in speaks at the start of a Cabinet meeting at Cheong Wa Dae, Tuesday. Yonhap
By Kim Yoo-chul
President Moon Jae-in called for concerted efforts with China, Tuesday, to reduce fine dust, saying diplomacy is necessary to find solutions to the worsening problem.
“There are concerns the China-originated fine dust is influencing public health. I want relevant ministries to step up diplomatic efforts to address the rising smog levels such as an establishment of an early smog-detection alarm system,” Moon said in a Cabinet meeting at Cheong Wa Dae, according to press pool reports.
“We have to address fine dust-related issues as these are at the top of the state agenda in terms of protecting the right to health. We have to take on these issues sternly by applying all possible measures and developing relevant technologies.”
The President asked relevant ministries to outline plans to reduce CO2 emissions.
Environmental officials from South Korea and China plan to hold a meeting in Seoul on Jan. 23 and 24 at which they will explore ways to encounter the rising smog levels.
“During the meeting, South Korean officials will propose a plan to establish an early smog-detection alarm system, aimed at sharing information when smog levels in China are badly forecasted,” said one official.
South Korea has in the past sought to blame pollution from mainland China for its air quality programs, but China's Ministry of Ecology and Environment refuted these allegations by asking Seoul to pay more attention to the effects of South Korea's domestically produced air pollution before blaming Beijing.