Abstract

Purpose: This study examines long-term trends and regional variations in SO₂ concentrations across Korean cities from 2014 to 2023. It evaluates air pollution control policies and identifies key factors in SO₂ reduction to provide insights for sustainable environmental management. Research Design & Data: The study employs descriptive statistical analysis, time-series modeling, correlation analysis, and boxplot & violin plot visualizations to assess SO₂ concentration data. It also examines regional pollution variations, seasonal fluctuations, and policy effectiveness to determine key influences on urban air quality. Research Results: The findings indicate a statistically significant decline in SO₂ concentrations in most cities, particularly Seoul, Busan, etc. due to stricter emission policies and industrial restructuring. However, Gwangju exhibited a stable trend, suggesting limited impact from regulations. The boxplot analysis highlights pollution disparities, with higher variability in industrial hubs like Ulsan. The violin plot analysis shows a steady decline in SO₂ pollution, with high variability in earlier years (2014-2016) becoming more uniform in 2020-2023. This suggests that policy enforcement and industrial regulations have reduced pollution disparities. Correlation analysis reveals weak associations between meteorological factors and SO₂ levels, reinforcing the dominant role of policy enforcement and industrial emissions in air pollution trends. Conclusion: South Korea’s air pollution control policies have significantly reduced SO₂ levels, yet regional disparities persist, especially in industrial cities. Strengthened regional collaboration, targeted emission regulations, and improved air quality management are essential for sustaining progress. Future policies should focus on integrated pollution control strategies, stricter industrial emission limits, and advanced monitoring systems to ensure continued environmental and public health benefits.