Air pollution in South Korea -- in terms of ultra-fine dust concentration -- is not only more than TWICE the OECD average, it's the WORST out of the entire group of advanced countries.
According to a new OECD report, South Korea recorded an average of 25-point-one-four micrograms of PM 2.5 particles per cubic meter in 2017.
The OECD average was twelve-point-five.
Mexico and Italy were higher than the average, while Germany, France and the United Kingdom came in below.
South Korea's air pollution is also bleak by local weather agency standards.
Local weather experts point to China as the source of the heightened levels of ultrafine dust in South Korea.
It is not so hard to spot people wearing and purchasing masks to protect themselves against harmful ultrafine particles.
Although there is a wide range of dust masks available on the market, only those with “KF” label are functional, recommended by health authorities.
“KF, the abbreviation of ‘Korean Filter’, is the mark of approval that shows a mask is reliable. The number next to the mark shows the rough percentage of particles the mask can block.”
For instance, KF80 means the mask can filter more than 80 percent fine particles the size of an average of 0.6㎛ (micrometers).
People with respiratory problems including children and the elderly are advised to stay away from masks with higher numbers like KF 99. Masks with KF 94 are usually recommended, but the ones with KF 80 are protective enough as well.”
South Korea's Special Representative for Korean Peninsula Peace and Security Affairs, Lee Do-hoon left for Washington early Tuesday to meet his U.S. counterpart Stephen Biegun and discuss the next steps for negotiations with North Korea.
Seoul's foreign ministry says, the two nuclear envoys will share their assessments of the outcome of the Hanoi summit, and discuss ways to quickly resume negotiations.
This is seen as part of South Korea's efforts to mediate the negotiations between North Korea and the U.S., after their leaders failed to come to an agreement in their 2nd summit last week.
And Seoul has said it will work to provide various ways for Pyeongyang and Washington to resume their talks.
The South Korean government has approved the one-year deal to share the cost of stationing American troops in the nation.
During a Cabinet meeting Tuesday, Prime Minister Lee Nak-yon and related ministers voted on the bill to share the expense of keeping 28-thousand-500 U.S. soldiers in South Korea.
President Moon Jae-in is remaining steadfast in his diplomatic efforts to denuke the Korean Peninsula, despite the breakdown in negotiations at the Hanoi summit.
Speaking before a crowd gathered at the Korean Naval Academy in the country's southeastern city of Jinhae,.. President Moon said if we consistently push for peace, denuclearization will eventually come.
President Moon said the country's navy is also part of the peace-building process, saying that a strong national defense posture is necessary to establish peace.
He added that his country's push for peace in the region depends on the will and the strength of the military, calling for strong defense capabilities.
Source: Arirang News
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