Tackling Fine Dust

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President Moon Jae-in has laid out a set of emergency measures to tackle the worsening problem of fine dust clouding the air. The top office said operations at older coal-burning power plants will be temporarily halted.

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Visiting an elementary school in Seoul to speak with the students, President Moon Jae-in announced a set of measures aimed at decreasing fine dust levels in the air. One part of the efforts is to suspend the operation of eight outdated coal-fired thermal power plants that are over 30 years old during the month of June this year. The shutdown period will be increased to as long as four months next year. The president also pledged to convert ten aging power plants to use natural gas as fuel, instead of shutting them down entirely. He also ordered the installation of a fine dust task force that he will oversee directly.

[Soundbite] Pres. Moon Jae-in : "One of the main causes of fine dust is thermal power plants, especially coal-powered ones."

In a bid to better inform the public about fine dust, measuring devices will be installed at all of the roughly 11-thousand elementary, middle and high schools nationwide. President Moon also promised to expand indoor sports facilities at schools and have classrooms equipped with air purifiers.

[Soundbite] Pres. Moon Jae-in : "Children will be able to attend school in a safe environment free of fine dust. I give my word."

The president added that once the formation of his Cabinet is completed, his administration will come up with more comprehensive and fundamental measures to address air pollution including eco-friendly automobile policies.