Severe Smog

[Anchor Lead]

Korea has been hit by severe smog for days now. Authorities in the Seoul metropolitan area implemented emergency measures last Sunday to fight high-concentration dust levels. The measures will stay in place through Monday. Take a look.

[Pkg]

This street is usually crowded on weekends, but last weekend it was deserted. Those few who brave the smog make sure to wear protective masks.

[Soundbite] Han Yong-kyu(Seoul Resident) : "The smog causes a lot of discomfort, but we prepared thoroughly to get outside, because I wanted to take my children to a musical."

This skating rink in downtown Seoul has been closed. Cleaning trucks move endlessly to remove as much dust as possible. On Sunday, air-pollution emergency measures were implemented in the Seoul metropolitan area for the first time this year as the average ultra-fine dust concentration level surpassed 50 micrograms per cubic meter for two consecutive days.

[Soundbite] "Don't let your vehicle idle. Turn off the engine."

Authorities launched crackdowns on car emissions and idling vehicles at bus parking lots. The emergency measures stayed in place on Monday as well.

[Soundbite] Kwon Min(Seoul City Government) : "All parking lots at public agencies are closed, and the operation of diesel vehicles that were manufactured before 2005 is banned."

Air quality in Korea is expected to deteriorate further due to a massive inflow of air pollutants from China. Last year, severe smog was observed in Seoul for 61 days, which means the South Korean capital is shrouded in severe smog two months of the year. The Ministry of Environment will enact a special law on air pollution on February 15. Once the new law takes effect, the restriction on older diesel cars, which is currently valid in Seoul only, will be expanded to Gyeonggi-do Province and Incheon as well.