High-emission motor vehicles in central Seoul categorized as Grade 5 will be fined KRW 250,000 per day under a rule taking effect from Dec. 1. Surveillance cameras controlled by the Seoul Transport Operation and Information Service will monitor vehicle emissions. (Yonhap News)

By Lee Hana

Motor vehicles that emit a large volume of carbon dioxide will be banned on the streets of downtown Seoul until March 21.

Taking effect on Dec. 1, the new rule is part of Seoul Metropolitan Government's seasonal initiative on particulate matter management that aims to reduce city-wide pollution during winter and spring. The measure aims to reduce pollution from traffic, central heating and industrial facilities, which have been identified as the three major causes of particulate matter in the capital.

Emissions from vehicles account for 25% of Seoul's particulate matter. Thus the city will penalize those driving cars with the rating of Grade 5 in Seoul's so-called green transport zones that cover areas within the city's four main gates. The areas include eight neighborhoods in Jongno-gu District and seven in Jung-gu District.

The restriction will apply daily from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. including weekends and public holidays, with surveillance cameras keeping watch at major intersections in the zones. Violators will be fined KRW 250,000 per day.

According to Ministry of Environment guidelines, a Grade 5 vehicle refers to a small- to mid-size diesel car released before July 2002 or a gas-powered vehicle made before 1987. For large and extra large vehicles, it refers to a diesel car released before July 2002 and a gas-powered car from before 2000.

In addition to these traffic measures, a new eco-mileage point system will encourage conservation in the use of central heating as well as closely monitor industrial facilities that produce air pollutants. The area of street cleaning coverage has also been expanded by 10 km to reduce residents' exposure to particulate matter, and stricter inspections of air quality are set for hospitals and children's facilities.

Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon said, "The seasonal initiative for particulate matter management will see a few inconveniences, but air pollution is a social calamity that all of society must tackle. I ask for the full support of all Seoul residents (for this initiative)."

Registered vehicle owners can check the grades of their cars on the following website:

https://emissiongrade.mecar.or.kr/