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Car rationing returns, but policy must align

Published: 02 Apr. 2026, 00:00

A notice for the public sector five-day vehicle rotation system is posted in front of the Government Seoul Complex in Jongno District, central Seoul, on March 24. The system takes effect at midnight on March 25. [NEWS1]

The government raised the national energy crisis alert from “caution” to “warning” on Wednesday. It also announced that it will introduce an “odd-even” vehicle restriction system for public institutions starting on Monday. The two-day system — also known colloquially as an odd-even system — restricts vehicle use every other day based on license plate numbers. This marks the first nationwide implementation of such a system in the public sector since 2008. Given the severity of disruptions to oil supply caused by the recent war in the Middle East, the move appears unavoidable, but authorities must remain vigilant to prevent the current energy strain from escalating into a broader national crisis that could affect industries and households alike.

From Monday, private vehicles will also be subject to a five-day rotation system when using public parking facilities operated by government institutions, meaning that private vehicles will only be able to operate five days of the week. However, the government has decided not to mandate similar restrictions at privately operated parking lots, opting instead to rely on voluntary participation. With uncertainty surrounding when energy supply conditions will stabilize, the immediate task is for the public sector to lead conservation efforts while encouraging voluntary cooperation from the private sector.

Market analysts expect that even if the Iran war ends soon, it will take considerable time for global energy markets to return to normal. This suggests that both public institutions and private citizens will need to sustain active energy-saving efforts over a prolonged period. To ask the public to share the burden, the government must first present a coherent and carefully calibrated policy mix that is credible and consistent.

It would be counterproductive to call for strict conservation while simultaneously introducing measures that could stimulate consumption, including fuel tax cuts or price controls. Mixed signals could weaken public trust and reduce policy effectiveness. If authorities eventually extend vehicle rationing to the private sector, they should consider compensation measures, such as reductions in automobile taxes or insurance premiums, to ease the burden.

Incentives to encourage the use of public transportation should also be strengthened. As President Lee Jae Myung has noted, proposals such as limiting free subway rides for older adults during peak commuting hours would require careful and broad social discussion before implementation.

At times like this, leadership by example is essential. Some lawmakers were recently found to have attempted to evade vehicle restrictions by registering their cars outside of the capital, far from the National Assembly in Yeouido, western Seoul. Such actions undermine public trust and call their credibility into question. Officials should reflect on whether they can ask citizens to share the burden while they seek to avoid it themselves.

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.