The government has announced additional measures to reduce fine dust this winter. 

Prime Minister Kim Min-seok announced the measures on Tuesday while presiding over a special committee on fine dust meeting at the government complex in Seoul.

With the measures, which will be in effect from next month through March, the government aims to lower the average concentration of ultrafine dust particles to 19 micrograms per cubic meter, a five percent improvement from the previous goal of 20 micrograms.

To achieve this, the government plans to cut approximately 129-thousand tons of ultrafine dust and its precursors this winter, reducing them by two percent from last year.

The government plans to suspend up to 17 public coal-fired power plants, two more than last year’s plan, and limit the output of up to 46 plants to 80 percent to reduce fine dust emissions.

Facilities used by vulnerable groups, including daycare centers, nursing homes and schools, will undergo joint governmental inspections and receive upgraded air purification systems.