South Korean President Moon Jae - in has urged China to acknowledge its role in pollution , as it has national readings three times the recommended levels . In response , China urged its neighbour to " look at its own problems " . Every year, the organization said, 7 million people die prematurely due to exposure to air pollution. South Korea has taken measures , including restrictions on coal - fired plants , but Moon has been criticised for a reluctance to adopt cleaner nuclear plants . While the high smog levels have hurt some sectors of the South Korean economy , tech companies such as LG and Samsung could see sales of air purifying units over the three million mark this year .
South Korean President Moon Jae - in has urged China to acknowledge its role in pollution , as it has national readings three times the recommended levels . In response , China urged its neighbour to " look at its own problems " . South Korea has taken measures , including restrictions on coal - fired plants , but Moon has been criticised for a reluctance to adopt cleaner nuclear plants . While the high smog levels have hurt some sectors of the South Korean economy , tech companies such as LG and Samsung could see sales of air purifying units over the three million mark this year .