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The first weekend of this year was covered in fine dust.

Dust reduction measures were implemented in most areas of the country, but atmospheric conditions were the worst this winter as yellow dust from China overlapped.



Reporter Kim Soo-young covered the story.



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Mt. Bulam in Seoul covered with white snow only shows its outline, but the surroundings are not visible at all.



Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul seen from the sky was hazy as if white smoke had spread, and Geunjeongjeon Hall at Gyeongbokgung Palace was also covered in fine dust.



The view of downtown Seoul from Namsan was difficult to discern.



I could barely make out only tall skyscrapers.



[Lee Seung-woo / Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul: I wanted to come up and watch the game, but I can't tell where it is.]



[Lee Ji-seong / Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul: The weather is so cloudy that I can't see where I am.

I hope the air is clear.]



Today (7th), most areas across the country maintained a 'very bad' level of fine dust concentration.



In Seoul, where a fine dust advisory was issued this afternoon, the concentration of ultrafine dust soared to 140 micrograms per cubic meter, seven times the usual.



It rose to 244 μg in Incheon and 260 μg in the Gyeonggi region.



The government has asked citizens to refrain from outdoor activities, such as the operation of the ice rink at Seoul Plaza being suspended until tomorrow.



Air quality has become the worst this winter as fine dust continues to accumulate at home and abroad as atmospheric flow is stagnant due to the influence of high pressure, and in particular, yellow dust from the Gobi Desert in China arrives.



Accordingly, the fine dust emergency reduction measures issued in Busan and Ulsan yesterday were extended to all regions nationwide except for Yeongdong, Gangwon this morning.



While the fine dust concentration in most regions of the country is predicted to remain at the 'bad' level tomorrow, the Ministry of Environment announced the implementation of emergency fine dust reduction measures in Seoul, the metropolitan area, Gangwon-do, Yeongseo, Daegu, and Gyeongbuk.



(Video coverage: Yoo Dong-hyuk · Seol Min-hwan, video editing: Yoo Mira, helicopter pilot: Min Byeong-ho)