The news of China suffocating in thick, grey smog for days has made many health conscious South Koreans worry about the air condition of their own country and whether it is affected by the toxic haze in the neighboring country. 

This might have been possible, as in winter, strong winds usually blow from the northwest, bringing airborne particles from mainland China. However, a respite from this seasonal phenomenon is keeping the air in South Korea clean, despite the ongoing smog problem in China, the Korea Meteorological Administration said Wednesday.

“The air in most parts of the Korean Peninsula is to be clear Wednesday, with pollution levels of either ‘normal’ or ‘good,’” the weather agency said in its daily forecast.

This was possible due to the absence of the typical northwesterly wind over the past few of days, it said.

With rain in the forecast for the entire country later in the afternoon, the air condition, in terms of microscopic particles, will get even better Thursday, it added.

“After the rain, winds will likely blow from the north, making the chance of China’s smog reaching South Korea very small,” the KMA said. 

By Korea Herald staff (khnews@heraldcorp.com)