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Yeosu occupies a distinctive coastal position on the southern tip of the Korean Peninsula in South Jeolla Province, where its geography creates a complex air quality environment. The city sprawls across a rugged peninsula and numerous islands within the South Sea, with its urban core nestled between coastal mountains and the deep-water harbor that makes it a strategic port. This topography—characterized by low coastal hills averaging 50-200 meters in elevation—creates natural basins that can trap pollutants, particularly when combined with the surrounding waters of the Korea Strait. Yeosu sits within South Korea's industrial heartland, with the nearby Yeosu Industrial Complex representing one of the nation's largest petrochemical and refining clusters, whose emissions significantly influence local air quality patterns. The urban-rural gradient shows dense development along the coastline transitioning to forested hills and agricultural zones inland, where rice paddies and greenhouses contribute occasional agricultural burning. Proximity to the sea provides natural ventilation through sea breezes, but also introduces marine aerosols and humidity that can interact with industrial emissions. The city's position downwind from China during certain seasonal patterns means it occasionally receives transboundary pollution, while its sheltered bays can experience localized accumulation when winds stall against the surrounding terrain.

Yeosu's air quality follows a distinct seasonal rhythm shaped by its coastal climate and regional pollution patterns. Spring (March-May) brings the most challenging conditions, with March and April experiencing peak pollution due to a combination of factors: increased industrial activity, occasional agricultural burning in surrounding rural areas, and the arrival of yellow dust storms from China's Gobi Desert carried by prevailing westerlies. These fine particulate episodes create hazy conditions that sensitive groups should monitor closely. Summer (June-August) offers relief as the East Asian monsoon brings cleaner maritime air from the south, with frequent rainfall scrubbing pollutants from the atmosphere. However, high humidity can combine with industrial emissions to form ground-level ozone on hot, stagnant days. Autumn (September-November) provides generally good air quality with crisp northerly winds, though October can see occasional pollution buildup during temperature inversions in the coastal basins. Winter (December-February) presents a mixed picture—cold northerly winds typically keep air clean, but periods of atmospheric stagnation can trap local industrial emissions against the terrain, particularly in January when heating demand increases. Those with respiratory conditions should be cautious during spring peaks and summer ozone days, while autumn offers the most consistently favorable conditions for outdoor activities.