Journal of Wellbeing Management and Applied Psychology (웰빙융합연구)

Korea Wellbeing Convergence Association (한국웰빙융합학회)
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Trends in SO2 Concentration and Air Quality Improvement in South Korean Cities

  • Received : 2025.02.15
  • Accepted : 2025.02.22
  • Published : 2025.02.28
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Abstract

Purpose: This study examines long-term trends and regional variations in SO2 concentrations across Korean cities from 2014 to 2023. It evaluates air pollution control policies and identifies key factors in SO2 reduction to provide insights for sustainable environmental management. Research Design & Data: The study employs descriptive statistical analysis, time-series modeling, correlation analysis, and boxplot & violin plot visualizations to assess SO2 concentration data. It also examines regional pollution variations, seasonal fluctuations, and policy effectiveness to determine key influences on urban air quality. Research Results: The findings indicate a statistically significant decline in SO2 concentrations in most cities, particularly Seoul, Busan, etc. due to stricter emission policies and industrial restructuring. However, Gwangju exhibited a stable trend, suggesting limited impact from regulations. The boxplot analysis highlights pollution disparities, with higher variability in industrial hubs like Ulsan. The violin plot analysis shows a steady decline in SO2 pollution, with high variability in earlier years (2014-2016) becoming more uniform in 2020-2023. This suggests that policy enforcement and industrial regulations have reduced pollution disparities. Correlation analysis reveals weak associations between meteorological factors and SO2 levels, reinforcing the dominant role of policy enforcement and industrial emissions in air pollution trends. Conclusion: South Korea's air pollution control policies have significantly reduced SO2 levels, yet regional disparities persist, especially in industrial cities. Strengthened regional collaboration, targeted emission regulations, and improved air quality management are essential for sustaining progress. Future policies should focus on integrated pollution control strategies, stricter industrial emission limits, and advanced monitoring systems to ensure continued environmental and public health benefits.

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