South Korea will tighten enforcement of a government-mandated vehicle rationing system for public-sector employees as it responds to mounting energy supply risks tied to a prolonged conflict in the Middle East.
Under the plan, passenger vehicles operated by public institutions will be subject to a five-day rotation system based on license plate numbers, effective 12:00 a.m. March 25. The measure follows the government’s issuance of an “alert”-level warning under its national energy security framework, signaling heightened concern over crude oil supply disruptions.
The policy restricts vehicle use on designated days depending on the last digit of a car’s license plate. Electric and hydrogen-powered vehicles, cars used by individuals with disabilities, and vehicles carrying pregnant women or young children are exempt.
While similar rules already apply to public institutions in cities with populations exceeding 500000, enforcement has historically been lax. Authorities now plan stricter oversight, including warnings for noncompliance and potential disciplinary action for repeated violations.
The government is also considering expanding the system to the private sector if the energy crisis escalates further, though participation remains voluntary for now.
President Lee Jae-myung suggested an interim step before any mandatory expansion, proposing partial restrictions at public parking facilities to incentivize voluntary compliance. He also called for a proactive emergency response framework across ministries, urging officials to prepare for worst-case economic and industrial disruptions.
Additional measures include encouraging flexible work arrangements at public institutions and large corporations to reduce traffic demand, with remote work recommendations under review. Officials are also discussing public transit incentives, including discounted fares through a national transportation card program.
To conserve liquefied natural gas, the government plans to increase reliance on coal-fired and nuclear power generation. This includes delaying the scheduled shutdown of three coal plants and restarting five nuclear reactors currently under maintenance.
Separately, authorities are preparing adjustments to a fuel price cap policy set for March 27. While retail fuel price ceilings may rise, officials said they intend to offset the impact by cutting fuel taxes to ease the burden on consumers.
