South Korea recorded a historic high in atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations last year, reaching 432.7 ppm [1].
These measurements indicate a sharpening climate crisis within the region. The spike is the second-largest increase in a decade, signaling that local greenhouse gas levels are now outpacing the global average [1].
Data was collected from several strategic observation sites, including the islands of Anmyeondo, and Ulleungdo [1]. A primary monitoring station is located on the western cliff of Jeju, where a 12-meter tower serves as a critical intake point for air entering the Korean peninsula [1, 2].
To ensure the precision of the data, the equipment employs a rigorous sampling process. The air collected by the tower is cooled to temperatures between -80 °C and -90 °C before analysis [3]. This process allows scientists to isolate and measure the exact concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.
An anchor for YTN said that greenhouse gas concentrations broke previous records once again last year [4]. The monitoring effort is part of a broader initiative to track atmospheric changes and identify viable climate-change solutions as the environment continues to shift.
Reporter Kim Min-kyung said the tower on Jeju acts as a "nose" that is the first to breathe in the air coming into the peninsula [5]. The combined data from Jeju, Anmyeondo, and Ulleungdo confirmed the 432.7 ppm reading [6].
“Greenhouse gas concentrations broke previous records once again last year.”
The fact that South Korea's CO₂ levels are exceeding the global average suggests that regional industrial emissions or atmospheric currents are concentrating pollutants more heavily over the peninsula. By utilizing high-precision cooling and strategic island-based monitoring, the government is attempting to establish a baseline for local climate impact to inform future mitigation policies.
