The South Korean government has announced its initiative to aid 18 regions across the country that are grappling with poor air quality caused by pollution emissions. On the 19th, the Ministry of Climate Energy and Environment revealed that it will provide 12 billion won in budgetary support for its 2026 'Clear Air for Our Neighborhood Comprehensive Support' program. Among the selected areas are various industrial zones and urban locations from major cities like Busan and Gwangju to other provinces such as Gangwon and Jeju, reflecting a broad and inclusive approach to addressing air quality issues nationwide.

This initiative is designed to offer comprehensive management aimed at reducing air pollutants emitted by small-scale facilities located close to residential areas. The support plan includes technical consultations, upgrades of air pollution control equipment, and the implementation of Internet of Things (IoT) monitoring devices. The government has ambitiously expanded its focus from previous programs that targeted only five pollution-prone areas to now encompass 18 regions, including areas with high numbers of public complaints regarding air quality, especially those involving asphalt and plaster manufacturing companies.

Moving forward, the Ministry of Climate expects to collaborate with local governments to evaluate odors and air quality conditions in the selected areas. They aim to diagnose the causes of pollution at high-risk facilities and establish improvement strategies. Furthermore, the plan involves the replacement of outdated pollution control equipment and setting up constant monitoring systems using IoT technologies. Subsequent air quality analysis will be conducted to assess the effectiveness of the implemented policies, building on past success where supported businesses reportedly reduced their pollutant emissions significantly between 2019 and 2024.