The concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and elemental carbon (EC) in particulate matter, typical primary aerosols have decreased in Seoul between 2003 and 2018 (80% for PAHs and 85% for EC). The yearly mean benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) concentration has been lower than 1 ng/m3 since 2010-2011, the target value set by the European Union (EU) and China. A series of policies related to solid fuel and vehicle in South Korea and China should be effective in the reduction of the ambient PAHs and EC concentrations. But the emission data of PAHs and EC at both countries did not support that hypothesis. Possible causes are uncertainties in the emission inventories of primary carbonaceous aerosols in South Korea and China, although there may be a minor effect of the emissions from North Korea on the concentrations in Seoul. Thus the further policy directions against PAHs and EC such as improvements of emissions inventories and measurements, intensive regulation of non-road mobile sources and control of PAHs derivatives are discussed.