LOCAL AIR-POLLUTION PROBLEMS IN KOREA

During the past three decades, rapid economic development has taken place in Korea and the quality of air has deteriorated substantially, especially in large cities and industrial complexes. In the past the major source was the combustion of fuels, the amount of which rapidly increased with economic development and industrialization, and sulfur dioxide was the major pollutant in the air. However, as the number of automobiles have increased in recent years, automobile exhausts have become the main source of air pollution. Increasing public awareness leads to a consensus of sustainable development in Korean industries. The Government is formulating abatement policies and forces industry to comply to these measures. Investment in the facilities and R & D on environment should be increased, and international cooperation accelerated.