ROK media blames smog from China for air crash   

首尔直升机撞民房坠毁 韩媒称或系中国雾霾所致

16日上午，韩国首尔市一架私人直升机撞上民间公寓后坠毁，造成机上2名驾驶员死亡。事故原因初步判定为大雾造成的能见度过低。韩媒报道指出，来自中国的雾霾给首尔市中心的直升机飞行带来危险因素。[查看全文]

(ECNS) -- Local media in the Republic of Korea (ROK) said it was the smog from China that contributed to the smoggy weather in the capital Seoul, causing a flight hazard for pilots.

The comment was made after a helicopter plunged to the ground in Gangnam district of Seoul last Saturday amid hazy weather. Two pilots on board were killed when the helicopter's propeller clipped the side of I-Park, a 38-story luxury apartment building.

One official at the National Emergency Management Agency said the haze played a part in the crash.

"It appears that the pilots lost visibility due to extremely foggy weather," the official said.

Smog from China has brought elevated levels of particulate matter and pollution to ROK cities, said an expert at Seoul National University.

Some people suggested policy makers in ROK come up with measures to control the air pollution transmitted by westerly winds from China.

Statistics released by the Korea Meteorological Administration show that people in Seoul experienced more smoggy days this year than in 2012. The city witnessed 12 smoggy days this year, five days more than in 2012.