Korean Job Discussion Forums

viipuri · Joined: 12 Jun 2007 Location: Seoul, Centre of it all

I have lived in Korea for more than five years (not all of it in Seoul), and the last fews, and the previous several days in particular I have noticed that the air quality in Seoul has gotten worse. I cross the Han daily and always note the visbility - and in the Korean falll the weather should be clear and crisp, but it's more like thick pea soup - even the massive Gwanak-san isn't always visible. Even before getting home, my eyes were stinging and nose was running...and I have no cold.

Just who monitors the natural environment here? I sometimes think that although Koreans go on about how great their country is, they don't really care for it...the air is one nasty piece of work...

Does no-one else notice this?

maddog · Joined: 08 Dec 2005 Location: Daegu

I spent the last two (05 and 06) autumns in Seoul. In 2005 it was clear and crisp, the perfect autumn with clear blue skies. Last year was just fooking 'orrible - grey skies, sh!tty air quality.

Then again, perhaps my memory is playing tricks, but that's how I remember it.

I'm off to Daegu soon and by all accounts it's even worse. Lucky me!

MD

twg · Joined: 02 Nov 2006 Location: Getting some fresh air...

Nah, the air has gotten progressively crappier since I've first arrived.

davejohnson333 · Joined: 01 Jul 2007

Where in the country is the air decent?

Your health is worth far more than any kind of small salary you can
make and so I would not stay in Seoul for more than a couple of years.
Man is the sickest animal on earth and it all boils down to greed and making money at the expense of health. Not for me boys and girls !!!

What if a person teaches north of Pusan near the beach? Does the air come off of the ocean there and blow away the pollution coming over from China from the other direction?

SPINOZA · Joined: 10 Jun 2005 Location: $eoul

The reason is the lack of wind. When it's windy in Seoul, it clears the pollution away and it can be very clear. But otherwise we live beneath of ocean of thick brown smog. It's an abomination - disgusting and depressing.

CeleryMan · Joined: 12 Apr 2007 Location: Seoul

Hey if Seoul can host marathons it can't be that bad, right?

VanIslander · Posted: Thu Nov 08, 2007 5:03 pm Post subject: Re: where is it decent?

Giant · Joined: 14 May 2003 Location: South Korea

Giant · Joined: 14 May 2003 Location: South Korea

VanIslander · Posted: Thu Nov 08, 2007 5:06 pm Post subject:

BRawk · Joined: 14 Oct 2007

Giant · Joined: 14 May 2003 Location: South Korea

nobbyken · Joined: 07 Jun 2006 Location: Yongin ^^

I never thought I would be caught dead wearing one of those masks folk wear, but they are amazing.

I am allergic to dust mites, wearing a mask or a high neck tube works wonders, IMO.
No more constant runny noses, worth a try and warm in the colder weather.

EDIT: I was joking with a couple of teachers yesterday lunch-time, that when we opened the windows for fresh air; it wasn't fresh at all.
It made my nose run, although most Koreans aren't sensitive to the airborne dust.
One teacher commented that he knew a Korean couple who went to NZ for 6 months and were allergic to Korean air (not the airline)after they returned!

VanIslander · Posted: Thu Nov 08, 2007 5:28 pm Post subject:

The islands off the southeast coast, from Geoje to the Tongyeong Islands, is gorgeous in places:

(Yes the sky is BLUE and the clouds WHITE, one can tell which is which)

All parts of Korea is NOT the same.

Giant · Joined: 14 May 2003 Location: South Korea

Nice picture man!! Did you take it?