Amid heavy fine dust pollution near Cheonggye Stream in downtown Seoul, pedestrians walk wearing face masks, Thursday. Yonhap

As spring approaches, Korea is once again confronting a seasonal threat: deteriorating air quality caused by fine dust pollution and yellow dust.

The density of fine dust particles smaller than 10 micrometers in diameter, known as PM 10, reached "bad" across the country on Thursday due to a dust storm blowing in from the northwest, according to the Korea Meteorological Administration.

Although the yellow dust initially lingered in the lower to middle layers of the atmosphere in the morning, the rising temperature throughout the day gradually mixed the air layers, causing the pollutants to descend to ground level by the afternoon.

The yellow dust is expected to continue affecting parts of the country through Friday.

According to the National Institute of Environmental Research, air quality is expected to return to "normal" levels on Friday as northeasterly winds disperse pollutants. However, the lingering dust will likely cause temporarily high fine dust concentrations in the morning, particularly in western regions such as the Chungcheong and Jeolla provinces.

Poor air quality in spring is a chronic concern in Korea, with yellow dust and fine dust pollution typically peaking between March and May.

According to a report in 2023 showing satellite observation data, Korea recorded the highest fine dust concentration among OECD countries in 2020, with an annual average of 25.9 micrograms per cubic meter.

The impact of worsening air pollution extends beyond health concerns — reduced visibility disrupts transportation, including aviation, while dust accumulation can damage sensitive industrial equipment and even hinder plant photosynthesis.

Schools have occasionally suspended classes due to extreme pollution, and many people take precautions such as wearing protective masks and using air purifiers at home.

Amid growing concerns about air pollution, the demand for air purifiers significantly increases during the spring. Industry data reveals that the air purifier industry in Korea experienced remarkable growth, expanding from 2.5 million units in 2018 to an estimated 3.5 million units in 2019, with a market value of approximately 1 trillion won.

Some Koreans turn to traditional remedies as a way to cope with the effects of pollution.

A popular but scientifically unfounded belief suggests that eating grilled pork belly can help clear fine dust from the throat. Though doctors dismiss this as a myth, the tradition persists among many.

To mitigate health risks, the government has implemented an air quality forecasting and alert system, categorizing air quality into four levels, from "good" to "very bad." Additionally, since 2018, Korea has enforced the Special Act on the Reduction and Management of Fine Dust and developed a five-year comprehensive plan to address the problem.