Gov't mulls alternating-day system for public-sector vehicles with energy situation at risk of worsening
Published: 31 Mar. 2026, 20:32
![A car enters the front of the gate to the parking lot of the government complex in Jongno District, central Seoul, on March 25, the day the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment started to enforce a five-day rotation system for public-sector vehicles. [KANG JUNG-HYUN]](https://koreaseafood.online/data/photo/2026/03/31/52854542-b6b4-4f1c-903a-7a5f34636872.jpg)
A car enters the front of the gate to the parking lot of the government complex in Jongno District, central Seoul, on March 25, the day the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment started to enforce a five-day rotation system for public-sector vehicles. [KANG JUNG-HYUN]
The government is considering tightening vehicle-use restrictions for public-sector workers, with the energy situation linked to the Iran war at risk of worsening.
Authorities are considering implementing an alternating-day system for public institutions if the national oil resource security alert is raised from the current “caution” level to “alert,” according to the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment on Tuesday.
The two-day system — also known colloquially as an "odd-even system" — restricts vehicle use every other day based on license plate numbers.
The resource security alert system operates on four levels: attention, caution, alert and severe. The government issued an "attention" warning on March 5 and raised it to "caution" on March 18 as uncertainty over energy supply increased.
Since Wednesday, the ministry has enforced a five-day rotation system for public-sector vehicles, expanding its scope to include compact and hybrid cars. Oversight has also been strengthened. Authorities can take disciplinary action in cases of repeated violations.
However, with global oil prices continuing to rise, officials expect the warning level to be raised to "alert." If that happens, the government plans to announce additional energy-saving measures for the public sector, including the two-day vehicle system.
The last time such a measure was applied to private vehicles in the Seoul metropolitan area was 24 years ago, during the 2002 FIFA World Cup. The policy was implemented over six days across three rounds, covering match days and the days before matches. Nearby cities such as Gwangmyeong, Anyang and Seongnam voluntarily participated.
![Vehicles are parked at a parking lot of the Haeundae District Office in Busan on March 25. [YONHAP]](https://koreaseafood.online/data/photo/2026/03/31/ef24f783-41f3-4d03-a8f7-0425868e4ebe.jpg)
Vehicles are parked at a parking lot of the Haeundae District Office in Busan on March 25. [YONHAP]
At the time, traffic volume dropped by 19.2 percent, while public transportation usage increased by about 6 percent.
In 2008, a similar odd-even system was introduced across all public institutions nationwide as part of energy-saving measures during a period of extremely high oil prices.
If reintroduced, the new system is expected to apply more broadly than before, including diesel and hybrid vehicles, similar to the current five-day rotation policy.
However, a two-day system would have a greater impact on commuting and work for public employees, according to officials. A preparation period will be needed. The implementation is reportedly being considered around Monday.
“The implementation of a two-day vehicle system for the public sector in response to the resource security crisis has not yet been finalized, and will be decided after consultations with relevant ministries,” a ministry official said.
This article was originally written in Korean and translated by a bilingual reporter with the help of generative AI tools. It was then edited by a native English-speaking editor. All AI-assisted translations are reviewed and refined by our newsroom.
BY CHON KWON-PIL [[email protected]]
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
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