South Korean media complain about Chinese carbon dioxide reaching Korea: South Korea has received carbon dioxide from China, leading to record-high greenhouse gas emissions

¬ Higher than the global average

On the morning of the 29th, at the High Mountain Atmospheric Monitoring Station of the National Institute of Meteorological Sciences in Hanjeong-myeon, Jeju City, real-time values of greenhouse gas concentrations were displayed on monitors. Here, using a 12-meter-tall observation tower, sea breezes are cooled to minus 85 degrees Celsius to remove moisture before measuring greenhouse gas concentrations. Currently, South Korea's greenhouse gas concentration is calculated as an average based on daily data collected from three locations: Jeju Island (South Sea), Ulleung Island (East Sea), and Amnyeom Island (West Sea). Research Officer Kim Soo-min (name in translation) stated: "To minimize human-induced influence around our observation sites, we conduct greenhouse gas measurements like this on the island. We are investigating changes in domestic greenhouse gas concentrations across the East Sea, West Sea, and South Sea."

Last year, South Korea recorded its highest-ever greenhouse gas concentration. According to the National Institute of Meteorological Sciences' "2025 Global Atmosphere Monitoring Report" released on the 29th, the concentration of carbon dioxide—the primary driver of global warming—reached 432.7 ppm over the course of the year, an increase of 3.2 ppm compared to the previous record high (429.5 ppm in 2024). Not only carbon dioxide, but also the concentrations of four other greenhouse gases—methane, nitrous oxide, and sulfur hexafluoride—all reached historic highs.

In particular, South Korea's increase in carbon dioxide levels far exceeded the global average. Globally, the average carbon dioxide concentration rose by 2.8 ppm from 2024 (422.8 ppm) to reach 425.6 ppm, while South Korea’s concentration was 7.1 ppm higher than that figure. Compared to the previous year, South Korea’s growth rate was also 0.4 ppm higher. Since 2000, South Korea’s domestic carbon dioxide concentration has increased annually by 2.5 ppm—a pace faster than the global average (2.3 ppm).

Rising greenhouse gas concentrations will make summers even hotter. In fact, meteorological authorities predict that there will be more abnormally hot days this May through July than in previous years. According to a three-month forecast, enhanced eastern high-pressure systems due to rising sea surface temperatures in the northern Indian Ocean will lead to increased inflows of hot, humid southwest winds during June and July. This will cause both rising temperatures and increased precipitation, meaning oppressive, sauna-like conditions are expected to begin early in the summer season.

Unusually, South Korea’s greenhouse gas emissions peaked at 727 million tons in 2018 and have since shown a downward trend. Taking only the provisional 2024 emissions (691.58 million tons) already publicly available, this represents a 2% decrease from the previous year, marking the lowest level since 2010—the 14-year low.

Nevertheless, the reason for South Korea’s continuously rising greenhouse gas concentrations lies in a combination of geographical factors, sea surface temperature increases, and shifts in weather patterns unlike those of the past. Currently, China is the world’s largest emitter of greenhouse gases. Greenhouse gases emitted from densely industrialized coastal regions in eastern China are carried into South Korea by westerly winds. Dust blown from China during winter and spring primarily originates from fossil fuel combustion processes; when this dust enters South Korea via westerly winds, it carries greenhouse gases along with it. Professor Jung Soo-jong (name in translation) from the School of Environmental Studies at Seoul National University and Dr. Yoon Jung-min (name in translation) from the Environmental Planning Institute have also concluded research indicating that "South Korea and North Korea, located downwind of China, experience faster increases in atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations compared to other regions."

It is believed that rising seawater temperatures around the Korean Peninsula also contribute to increasing greenhouse gas concentrations. Data from the National Fisheries Research Institute shows that over the past 54 years (1968–2021), surface water temperatures in South Korean waters have risen by approximately 1.35 degrees Celsius—more than 2.5 times faster than the global average (an increase of 0.52 degrees). While oceans absorb carbon dioxide, higher temperatures reduce their absorption efficiency. Rising seawater temperatures mean that carbon dioxide concentrations in the air above the ocean must inevitably rise higher than before. Furthermore, frequent atmospheric stagnation caused by global warming means that emitted greenhouse gases remain suspended in the upper atmosphere for longer periods.

Source: Chosun Ilbo

Original article: toutiao.com/article/1863871538929675/

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author.