Could a shared pollution problem bring the two Koreas to the table? | NK News
NK News Logo
December 22, 2024

NK News is hiring

Evergreen

Could a shared pollution problem bring the two Koreas to the table?

One expert believes North Korea could be a useful partner in talks on East Asia's fine dust problem

The sky over Seoul, for months yellow from fine dust, seems to have become blue again as the summer heat wave hits the peninsula. But the problem will continue throughout the year - and affect both North and South equally.

Both yellow dust and fine dust are a byproduct of burning fossil fuels and other industrial pollutants, and the extent to which its annual arrival to the Korean peninsula is a local, or a regional, problem is hotly debated. Much of it, granted, does originate in China, but there's certainly a connection to both Koreas' heavy reliance on coal power stations.

Try unlimited access
Only $1 for four weeks

  • Unlimited access to all of NK News: reporting, investigations, analysis
  • Year-one discount if you continue past $1 trial period
  • The NK News Daily Update, an email newsletter to keep you in the loop
  • Searchable archive of all content, photo galleries, special columns
  • Contact NK News reporters with tips or requests for reporting
Get unlimited access to all NK News content, including original reporting, investigations, and analyses by our team of DPRK experts.
Subscribe now

All major cards accepted. No commitments – you can cancel any time.