Prep work for fine dust agency to begin

A pedestrian with mask walks past near Samcheon riverside in Jeonju. Yonhap

By Bahk Eun-ji

The government said Sunday it will set up the steering committee for a national body on fine dust today.

According to the Ministry of Environment, former Korean Ambassador to the United Nations Kim Sook and former Environment Vice Minister Ahn Byung-ok will lead the committee for the national fine dust agency to be launched within this month.

The steering committee will be comprised of officials from relevant government bodies, including the foreign ministry and the environment ministry.

The new organization will work together with industry, academia and civil rights communities to seek fundamental measures against air pollution, coming up with recommendations for government policy.

Former U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon will head the organization after accepting President Moon Jae-in's offer to do so last month.

The government body, under the direct control of the President, will be made up of 40 members from every class of society who will participate in various fine dust-related meetings.