In Korea, there are four seasons: Summer, Autumn, Winter & Yellow Dust. The yellow dust season is somewhat similar to Spring in the U.S. The winds start to change which bring in the warmer air. Unfortunately, Korea is in close proximity with China and so when the winds change, they start to blow from China. This means that all of the yellow sand, toxins and pollution blow into Korea from China. The sky actually takes on the color of a grayish yellow. This is a sensitive subject in Korean-Chinese relations.
On average, 200 Koreans die each year as a result of the yellow dust and 2 million Koreans get sick from the toxins. Many people choose to wear surgical masks to avoid breathing the toxic air. On Monday, every elementary school & kindegarten in the South of the country was closed due to the dangerous air. Seoul wasn't hit so hard and so Ryan and I still had to work. As great as a day off would be, I would prefer the Chinese toxic air to stay out of the city.
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