Article 1 (Purpose) The purpose of this Ordinance is to provide for matters necessary for forecasting and warning of particulate matter in order to protect citizens’ health from air pollution caused by particulate matter and reduce the level of air pollution caused by particulate matter.

Article 2 (Definitions) Terms used in this Ordinance shall be defined as follows: <Amended by Ordinance No. 4790, May 28, 2009>
1.The term “forecasting” means that citizens are informed of a concentration of particulate matter during the following day, which shall be forecasted by taking into consideration observed concentrations of particulate matter, weather changes, and other relevant factors;
2.The term “warning” means that citizens are informed of a concentration of particulate matter when the concentration of particulate matter reaches or exceeds a specific standard;
3.The term “particulate matter” means particles with a size of ten or less micrometers (㎛);
4.The term “concentration of particulate matter” means the average concentrations of particulate matter observed on a real-time basis throughout the Seoul area.

Article 3 (Method of Forecasting and Warning) (1) The Mayor of the Seoul Metropolitan Government (hereinafter referred to as the “Mayor”) shall inform broadcasters, newspapers, and other mass media as well as appropriate agencies, of details of forecasts and warnings of particulate matter for the safety and health of citizens. <Amended by Ordinance No. 4790, May 28, 2009>
(2) The Mayor shall operate a real-time disclosure system from which citizens can find concentrations of particulate matter at any time via the Internet. <Amended by Ordinance No. 4790, May 28, 2009>

Article 4 (Details of and Guidelines for Forecasts) The details of, and the guidelines for, forecasts of particulate matter shall be as set out in attached Table 1. <Amended by Ordinance No. 4790, May 28, 2009>

Article 5 (Countermeasures in Response to Forecasts) (1) The Mayor shall endeavor to reduce emissions of particulate matter in accordance with the following subparagraphs: <Amended by Ordinance No. 4790, May 28, 2009>
1.If a forecast issued in accordance with attached Table 1 is “serious” or worse, the Mayor shall recommend citizens to refrain from operating vehicles and revise operating hours of business establishments emitting particulate matter;
2.If a forecast issued in accordance with attached Table 1 is “very serious” or worse, the Mayor shall recommend the Superintendent of the Office of Education to prohibit outdoor classes, shorten school hours, close schools temporarily, or take other appropriate countermeasures for the protection of health of children and students.
(2) When a forecast issued in accordance with attached Table 1 is “likely to affect sensitive groups” or worse, the head of each relevant autonomous Gu shall disseminate guidelines for citizens’ action in response to the forecasts specified in attached Table 2, to residents in hospitals, senior citizens’ centers, and other similar places within his/her remit. <Amended by Ordinance No. 4790, May 28, 2009>

Article 6 (Details of and Guidelines for Warnings) The Mayor shall issue an “alert” or “warning”, when a concentration of particulate matter reaches or exceeds a specific level, and the guidelines for issuing and lifting alerts and warnings shall be as set out in attached Table 3. <Amended by Ordinance No. 4790, May 28, 2009>

Article 7 (Countermeasures in Response to Alerts and Warnings) (1) When an alert or a warning (hereinafter referred to as “warning”) is issued, the Mayor shall take the following countermeasures: <Amended by Ordinance No. 4790, May 28, 2009>
1.The Mayor shall recommend the Superintendent of the Office of Education to prohibit outdoor classes, shorten school hours, close schools temporarily, or take other appropriate countermeasures for the protection of health of children and students;
2.The Mayor shall recommend citizens to refrain from operating vehicles, unless necessary or urgent, and disseminate the harmfulness of particulate matter through mass media.
(2) When a warning is issued, the head of each relevant autonomous Gu shall promptly disseminate guidelines for citizens’ action in response to the warnings specified in attached Table 4, to residents in hospitals, senior citizens’ centers, and other similar places within his/her remit and persons who run a business establishment, a construction site, or any other similar place that emits particulate matter. <Amended by Ordinance No. 4790, May 28, 2009>
(3) In parks, subways, old palaces, and other similar places where the general public is crowded, the general public there shall be informed immediately of details of an issued warning through internal broadcasting systems and other similar means. <Amended by Ordinance No. 4790, May 28, 2009>

Article 8 (Countermeasures in Response to Forecast, etc. of Sandstorm) (1) When the Korea Meteorological Administration issues a forecast, alert, or warning of a sandstorm, the Mayor shall recommend citizens or appropriate agencies to comply with the following action guidelines, whichever is appropriate: <Amended by Ordinance No. 4790, May 28, 2009>
1.If the forecast (400㎍/㎥/hour) or alert (400㎍/㎥/hour, lasting for two or more hours) of a heavy sandstorm is issued, the elderly, the infirm, children, and patients suffering from a respiratory disease shall be prohibited from engaging in any outdoor activity, pupils in preschools and elementary schools shall be prohibited from engaging in any outdoor activity, and the general public shall refrain from engaging in any strenuous outdoor activity;
2.If the forecast (800㎍/㎥/hour) or warning (800㎍/㎥/hour, lasting for two or more hours) of a very heavy sandstorm is issued, the elderly, the infirm, children, and patients suffering from a respiratory disease shall be prohibited from engaging in any outdoor activity, school hours of preschools and elementary schools shall be shortened or preschools and elementary schools shall be closed temporarily, the general public shall be prohibited from engaging in any outdoor activity, and outdoor sports games shall be suspended.

Article 9 (Efforts for Improvement of Air Pollution) (1) When a forecast or warning is issued, any person who operates a vehicle shall endeavor to reduce emissions of particulate matter by refraining from operating the vehicle, unless urgent. <Amended by Ordinance No. 4790, May 28, 2009>
(2) A person who runs a business establishment, construction site, or any other similar place that emits particulate matter shall endeavor to reduce emissions of particulate matter by improving conditions of the place of business and revising operating hours. <Amended by Ordinance No. 4790, May 28, 2009>

Article 10 (Review on Countermeasures Taken in Response to Forecasts and Warnings) (1) The Mayor and the head of each relevant autonomous Gu may review the outcomes of countermeasures taken in response to a forecast or a warning. <Amended by Ordinance No. 4790, May 28, 2009>
(2) An agency in regard to which a countermeasure is taken in response to a forecast or a warning shall cooperate fully in the countermeasure, except in extenuating circumstances. <Amended by Ordinance No. 4790, May 28, 2009>

Article 11 (Subsidization from Budget) The Mayor may disburse funds for expenses incurred in issuing forecasts and warnings effectively within budget. <Amended by Ordinance No. 4790, May 28, 2009>

Article 12 (Detailed Operating Rules) The Mayor may prepare and enforce separate guidelines regarding matters necessary for forecasting and warning of particulate matter. <Amended by Ordinance No. 4790, May 28, 2009>