South Korea seeks China's help on tackling air pollution
30/03/2018 13:06
SEOUL, March 30 (Reuters) - South Korea President Moon
Jae-in said on Friday cooperation with China is needed not only
to end tension over North Korea's weapons but also to tackle the
problem of air pollution.
Moon raised South Korea's concern about pollution arriving
from China in talks with Chinese special enjoy Yang Jiechi, in
Seoul to brief South Korea on this week's meeting between
Chinese President Xi Jinping and North Korean leader Kim Jong
Un.
"President Moon Jae-in stressed the seriousness of South
Korea's fine dust problem," said South Korea's presidential
spokesman, Kim Eui-kyeom.
"Korea's fine dust is caused by factors at home but as a
Chinese factor also lies behind the problem, voices are growing
among South Koreans asking for close cooperation between South
Korea and China," the spokesman cited Moon as saying.
Worsening air pollution has been a chronic problem in South
Korea especially during the spring.
Authorities have suspended operations at five old,
coal-fired plants from March to June to cut pollution.
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Yang suggested the two sides work to cut pollution by
setting up a joint environmental centre, the spokesman said.
(Reporting By Jane Chung and Christine Kim
Editing by Robert Birsel)
((jane.chung@thomsonreuters.com; +82 2 3704 5667; Reuters
Messaging: jane.chung.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net))