Air quality 'healthier' in South Korean capital

There has been a marked improvement in air quality in Seoul, it has been announced.

Figures released by the South Korea's Research Institute of Public Health and Environment this week showed the level of dust in the city's air fell to 55 micrograms per cubic metre last year.

The reading represents the lowest level of dust content since the institute began measurements in 1995, Chosunilbo reports.

Much of the dust that enters the air in South Korea is created by vehicles or is carried over from the Gobi desert in China.

The current air quality allows visibility of 25 kilometres, meaning the west coast at Incheon can be viewed from Seoul Tower with the naked eye.

Meanwhile, steps are afoot to further improve air quality in Seoul with the creation of a new 3,114-kilometre bicycle path network.

The Korea Herald reports that the 1.25 trillion won (£625 million) project will be complete by 2018.