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The quality of air in Seoul continues to improve. According to a survey by Seoul Metropolitan Government, the number of days with visibility of 20 kilometers or more between January and August of 2009 totaled 62 days. This is a steady improvement over 19 days in 2005, 35 days in 2006 and 43 days in 2009. Looking at the maximum visibility, the figure for this year is 1.3 kilometers more than 2005 and 0.8 kilometers more than 2008 when visibility was clearest since atmospheric quality began to be monitored in 1995.

The amount of particulate matter recorded between January and August of this year reached 55 micrograms per cubic meter. This is steady improvement over 83 micrograms per cubic meter in 2002, 64 micrograms per cubic meter in 2006 and 56 micrograms per cubic meter in 2008. In particular, the amount of particulate matter in August was on par with cities of OECD countries, such as Tokyo and New York.

Creating green Seoul

The improvement in Seoul’s air quality was possible through the city’s efforts and the public’s active participation. The city has been promoting “Creating Clean and Green Seoul” project as one of its five core projects. To this end, the city has introduced CNG buses and worked to reduce the pollution caused by diesel cars.

The project to reduce pollution caused by diesel cars, initiated in 2005, has resulted in 162,000 diesel cars being fitted with emissions-lowering devices and the replacement of 86 percent – or 6,508 -- of Seoul’s public buses with CNG buses.

Starting in 2008, Seoul Metropolitan Government took on an initiative to lower pollution caused by 3.5 ton or more diesel cars. More than 90 percent of these cars have been outfitted with devices to reduce emissions. Starting in June, diesel cars in the 2.5 ton class have come under the regulation. Seoul is in talks with Gyeonggi Province and Incheon to restrict untreated vehicles from entering the metropolitan area after 2010.

Perks for participating in the programs to lower pollution have been expanded. Eligible cars can have some 90 percent of the cost of installing emissions-reducing devices paid for by the city. Such cars are also exempt from mandatory vehicle inspections and pollution charges.

Since 2006, Seoul has instituted a system where cars are not allowed on the road on specific days chosen by the car owners. The aim is to reduce the city’s traffic congestion. To encourage participation, vehicles participating in the program receive discounts on public parking and tolls on tunnels in Seoul.

On Sept. 22, major arteries in Seoul were declared car-free streets from 4 a.m. to 6 p.m. as an annual campaign to reduce the number of cars on the road and to encourage the use of public transportation.

Expect even cleaner Seoul

Seoul Metropolitan Government has drawn up a master plan to promote the use of green car. This is aimed at improving the atmospheric quality over Seoul and minimizing greenhouse gas emissions. By 2020, 100 percent of buses, taxies and public transportation will be eco-friendly, high efficiency green cars.

All existing public buses will be replaced by CNG buses by 2010 and by 2020 all public buses will be replaced by either electric or hybrid buses. This year, the city government will introduce a pilot program of hybrid taxis with a plan to replace all taxis with hybrid or electric taxis by 2020.