World Meteorological Day Observed with Various Events

Korea Meteorological Adm. will continue monitor toxic gas density in line with low-carbon green growth policy of the government

The Korea Meteorological Administration(KMA) held various events to observe the World Meteorological Day. The KMA sponsored a meteorological exhibition and meteorological photo display from March 20-27 at the Uwoollim Multipurpose Hall at the National Gwacheon Science Hall and held a ceremony and a special lecture on meteorology on March 23, the KMA said.
Administrator Chun Byung-sung of KMA, in his commemorative speech, said the United Nations designated March, 23 as the World Meteorological Day, which is significant to every citizen in the world as it reminds all of us of the importance of weather in our lives as we try to predict weather conditions every day to protect lives and properties of every mankind and tough job for all of those engaged in weather forecasting.
Korea became a member of the WMO in 1956. The fact that Korea is ranked the 9th in the world in meteorological technology levels is owned to the support of the WMO member countries and cooperation, he said, adding that the World Meteorological Day make us to recall the importance of international cooperation in meteorological matters, the top KMA official said.
China gives Korea information on weather conditions in its regions that develop the Yellow Sands required to predict the Yellow Sand winds that sweep down from northern China to the Korean Peninsula so that we can avoid any damages in human lives and properties from the terrible weather conditions, Chun said.
Even during the cold war, both China and the former Soviet Union continued to cooperate with Korea on meteorological matters, despite the absence of diplomatic relations. The international practice has been ongoing for ages, indifference to religion, ideals, race and others that even caused wars. The 188 member countries of WMO exchanged information and data on weather without barriers, he said.
They exchanged the information and data gathered at huge costs free of charge and conditions, which is the "spirit of WMO," Chun said. He said the technology gap between advanced and developing countries on climate studies should be narrowed as much as possible to raise the level of correctness of weather forecasts among those countries.
KMA was transferred to the Ministry of Environment as its duty has now been expanded to include the analysis of air conditions, in addition to the traditional duties of weather forecasting in line with the government's low-carbon and green growth policies. The government's policies to foster economic growth without polluting air much goes well in line with the WMO's stress on clean air on the Meteorological Day. KMA will continue to watch out for greenhouse gas density in the air making it as one of the key works for KMA.
KMA concluded that the average temperature in Korea rose 1.5 centigrade in the last 100 years and will rise by 4 degrees centigrade in 2100. The CO2 in the air rose 9 fold since 1990, requiring us to make efforts to reduce the toxic gas, the KMA administrator said.
The flow of air has no borders; It moves around every where disregarding any international borders drawn by men. International cooperation on weather, too, doesn't have any borders as it's been going on for ages, even during the cold war, although conflicts on nuclear issues, economy, food and other issues due to differences in interest, he said.
The Meteorological Exhibition had 20 booths to display the history of meteorology, meteorological commodities, equipment and mount climbing mementoes belonging to Amb. Um Hong-gil. Eleven meteorology related organizations and business firms also participated in the display event, KMA said.
The Meteorological Photo Exhibition 50 out of 2,039 photos selected including those that won top prizes. The ceremony took place on March 23 where Vice Chairman Lee Hee-sung of IPCC delivered a special lecture entitled, "Impacts on Social-Economics from Climate Changes and Responses. Minister Lee Maanee of the Ministry of Environment was present among the dignitaries at the event. A number of persons received awards at the ceremony for their contributions to the development of the meteorology in Korea and the winners of the photo exhibition also were given awards at the ceremony. The collection of support funds made by employees at KMA was presented to the Um Hong-gil Human Foundation.
The World Meteorology Day was declared on March 23, 1950 when the World Meteorology Organization (WMO) agreement went into force and WNO member countries have been observing the Day with various events every year. WMO became a member of the United Nations affiliated organizations in 1951.
WMO announces the major theme of the World Meteorological Day every year and this year's theme was "Weather, Climate and the Air we breathe" intended to call the attention on the integration of various environment-related problems achieved by the WMO.
Michel Jarraud, the secretary-general of WMO, in his commemorative speech on the Day, said it is encouraging that various materials made when the use of materials collected by meteorologists on the make up of atmosphere were uncertain such as the Vienna Agreement, Montreal Protocol, and World Summit on U.N. Environmental Development Council have been playing a core role in various aspects of meteorological research and activities around the world. nw

Administrator Chun Byung-sung of Korea Meteorological Administration.

The Korea Meteorological Administration holds diverse events to celebrate the World Meteorological Day. (below row, right) KMA Administrator Chun Byung-sung gives a speech at a ceremony.

KMA Administrator Chun in an interview with President-Publisher Elizabeth M. Oh of NewsWorld.