Energy Crisis, South Korea Tightens Vehicle Rotation on Workdays

Illustration of traffic lights in Seoul, South Korea. (Wikimedia Commons)

JAKARTA - The South Korean government will tighten vehicle rotation on weekdays in the public sector to anticipate oil supply disruptions due to tensions in the Middle East.

South Korea's Ministry of Climate, Energy, and Environment (South Korea) on Tuesday (24/3) stated that the policy began to be implemented on Wednesday by increasing supervision of public sector compliance.

The restriction system is carried out based on the last digit of the vehicle number plate which is divided into five groups. Each group is prohibited from operating on certain weekdays.

The system has actually been implemented, but previously it was run loosely. Electric and hydrogen vehicles are exempt from the restrictions.

The ministry will distribute implementation guidelines to the public sector and encourage the application of sanctions for institutions that do not comply with the rules.

The South Korean government also advised the private sector to voluntarily participate in the program.

If the Level 3 national resource crisis warning is imposed, the government will consider making it mandatory for the private sector.

According to the ministry, the policy was taken after the government raised the alert status to Level 2 in the four-level system last week.

The government also asked 50 companies with the largest oil consumption to draw up energy saving plans. Incentives will be given to companies that manage to reduce energy consumption.

In addition, public institutions and large companies are asked to adjust working hours to reduce traffic load and energy consumption.

The government will also loosen restrictions on coal-fired power plants when fine dust levels are low.

In addition, South Korea is encouraging the re-operation of five nuclear reactors under maintenance. This step aims to reduce the consumption of liquefied natural gas affected by the war in the Middle East.