SEOUL, March 19 (Korea Bizwire) — The KBO’s KT Wiz has come to an agreement with parent company KT to install a “Giga IoT Air Map” platform that would lower fine dust concentrations by injecting water into the air.

The Air Map will be integrated into the operations of Suwon’s KT Wiz Park for the purpose of providing accurate readings of fine particulate matter (pm2.5) levels in the baseball stadium’s air. When measured levels indicate “high fine dust” for a game set to take place, sprinklers and UAVs will be used to drive away the harmful microscopic substances with water and artificial rain for a ten-minute duration before the game starts.

Measurement gauges will be installed at various locations throughout the stadium for real-time air quality analysis, and air purifying units will be operated if air quality dips below acceptable levels while the game is being played.

Artificial rain has recently been receiving greater attention after politician Yang Seung-jo of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea and candidate in the running for the governorship of South Chungcheong Province promised to create a “rain curtain” using artificial rain to wall off South Chungcheong Province from eastward air pollution originating from China.

At a press conference where he presented his campaign pledges for the upcoming June regional elections, Yang said, “So that South Chungcheong can recover from fine dust, I will bring to the province artificial rain dispersed by planes or by drones.”

“Yellow dust” from Northern China sweeps in to South Korea during the spring months every year, polluting the air and discomforting many, particularly the young, weak and elderly. Some regions are taking to steps to provide protective measures to the most vulnerable. Daegu Metropolitan City on March 6 stated it would distribute over 100,000 yellow dust masks within this month to young children and select individuals over 65 years of age.

Kevin Lee (kevinlee@koreabizwire.com)