Hello~ Everybody! I?m Jee Hyeon Lee :D As 8th Eco Generation Ambassador of Seoul I would like to start the first article by writing about the current status quo of Seoul?s environment. Let?s look specifically through the details and statistics written about Seoul?s nature dealing with air pollution, water pollution, ground, and noise pollution which are considered as the 4 most serious problems. 

In the aspect of air pollution, although far behind first-place United States, South Korea?s much smaller population is the ninth largest consumer of ozone-depleting chlorofluorocarbons.  During the first two decades of Korea's economic boom, there was little attention paid to the damaging effects of rapid industrialization on the environment.  It was not until the 1980's that Korea began paying close attention to the environment, but the problems have arisen so quickly, that the Korean government has not been able to manage all of them.  One of the arising problems in connection with rapid industrialization is acid rain.

            The biggest contributor to air pollution is increasing number of automobiles.   At the end of 1993, the number of automobiles on the roads was 6.27 million, up from just 40,000 in 1965. In 1992, motor vehicles emitted 1.84 million tons of all pollution.  In Seoul, 60 percent of air pollutants come from motor vehicle exhaust emissions include more stringent emission standards and improve fuel quality.

     In the early 1970's, the Korean government's ambitious five year economic plan led to the rapid industrialization of heavy industry and petrochemical industries.  The Ulsan region is known for its heavy industrialization and attracts major Korean companies.  According to the International Trade Administration, approximately 200 companies are operating in the Ulsan and Onsan Industrial zone area.  Rapid industrialization in these areas have caused serious air pollution problems, a major concern to the general public and government

     Environmental problems such as acid rain which extend beyond national boundaries are becoming increasingly common phenomena.  Acid raid reduces visibility, pollutes lakes and streams, destroying fish and other forms of life. Acid deposition results from the chemical transformation and transport of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides. Experts agree the major strategy to the acid rain problem is to reduce the emissions of sulfur and nitrogen oxides.  Without these reductions, lakes and streams, groundwater, soils and forests will continue to become acidified furthering economic and aesthetic damage.

Water pollution will be thoroughly introduced in my second article! To get further information, please read my next article as well~:) Thank you!