Air quality across most of South Korea is expected to deteriorate significantly Friday, with fine dust levels reaching unhealthy levels nationwide.
According to weather authorities, concentrations of fine particulate matter will be rated “bad” across the country, except for Yeongdong in Gangwon Province. In North Chungcheong Province, fine dust levels are forecast to reach the “very bad” category until the morning hours. Daejeon, Sejong, Gwangju and North Jeolla Province are expected to experience “very bad” levels temporarily during the morning.
The poor air quality is attributed to fine dust particles that flowed in from overseas Thursday, combined with domestically generated pollutants that have remained trapped due to stagnant atmospheric conditions.
In the southern regions, fine dust concentrations may ease to “moderate” levels during the daytime as vertical air circulation allows pollutants to disperse more effectively. However, as atmospheric stagnation returns overnight, pollutant levels are expected to rise again, keeping the daily average concentration in the “bad” range.
shinjh@heraldcorp.com
![[Exclusive] Ateez to return in November](https://wimg.heraldcorp.com/news/cms/2026/09/02/news-p.v1.20260902.76162fb0ba55493aad1c076f240d0750_R.jpg?type=h&h=120)