Fine dust alerts that had been issued for the entire country on Friday morning have been lifted for most regions after the entry of such dust from Inner Mongolia slowed down from noon.

The environment ministry announced the lifting of the alerts, adding that as of 3 p.m., they remain in place only for parts of the provinces of Gyeonggi, Gangwon and North Gyeongsang as well as the cities of Busan and Daegu. 

An official of the National Institute of Environmental Research said yellow dust from Inner Mongolia mostly stopped entering the nation from the afternoon. 

The official was quick to stress the need to exercise caution, however, saying there is a possibility that such dust will enter the nation again in the evening. 

A fine dust advisory is issued when the hourly average density of dust particles stays above 150 micrograms per cubic meter for more than two hours, while a fine dust warning is issued when the density stays above 300 micrograms per cubic meter for more than two hours.

The lesser yellow dust advisory level of "caution,” which was issued on Friday morning, currently remains in place. 

Under such a level, the public is advised to stay indoors.