The government announced a "nationwide energy conservation campaign" on the 24th, including strengthened vehicle-use restrictions for public-sector passenger cars based on license plate numbers, and called for private-sector participation. The measures have sparked debate among citizens over their effectiveness and fairness.
Vehicle Restriction Card Pulled Out Again Amid Energy Crisis
As energy supply concerns driven by Middle East instability have grown, the government has once again turned to the "odd-even vehicle restriction" policy. The plan calls for mandatory enforcement in the public sector while requesting voluntary participation from the private sector as part of a nationwide energy-saving campaign.
The Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment reported a response plan for the "caution" level of a crude oil resource security crisis at a Cabinet meeting the same day, announcing that the public-sector passenger car restriction based on the last digit of license plates would become effectively mandatory starting midnight on the 25th.
Public institutions had already been implementing the vehicle restriction system under the "Regulations on Promoting Rational Energy Use in Public Institutions," but the government said it would now monitor compliance and issue warnings or take action against institutional heads of non-compliant agencies to strengthen enforcement.
The public-sector vehicle restriction does not apply to compact cars and eco-friendly vehicles, vehicles used by persons with disabilities (including those carrying disabled passengers), and vehicles carrying pregnant women or infants.
According to the ministry's estimates, approximately 23.7 million vehicles are subject to the restriction after excluding electric vehicles, hydrogen vehicles, disability vehicles, and vehicles for pregnant women.
The private sector remains under an advisory for now, but the government plans to consider making it mandatory if the crisis level is elevated to "alert."
The plan also includes measures to encourage public institutions and large corporations to stagger commuting hours to distribute transportation demand.
Shorter Showers and Daytime Charging… "Do We Really Have to Go This Far?"
Along with vehicle restrictions, the government presented 12 "National Energy-Saving Action" guidelines.
Key recommendations include: △using public transportation △maintaining appropriate indoor temperatures △turning off unnecessary lights △charging electric vehicles and mobile phones during daytime hours △using washing machines and vacuum cleaners on weekends △reducing shower time.
But citizen reactions were divided. Hong, a 43-year-old office worker, said, "Most people charge their phones at night. Telling us to charge during the day doesn't match reality." Ryu, an office worker in their 20s, said, "As an ordinary person, I'm already doing everything I can to save energy — using public transit, cutting back on lighting. I wonder if there's really anything left to cut."
Concerns were also raised about restricting only the public sector. One public-sector employee said, "If this is a national crisis, the private sector should do its part too. It's unreasonable to impose obligations only on the public sector."
Another issue is policy conflict. Questions are being raised about whether restricting vehicle use while keeping fuel prices frozen is truly effective, and fairness concerns have emerged over the exemption of electric vehicles.
"Outdated Policy" vs. "This Is an Emergency" — Public Opinion Splits
Public opinion on the measures is sharply divided.
On one side, critics call the approach "outdated." They argue that limiting consumption through administrative regulations instead of price signals is inefficient and out of touch with reality. The response to policies that micromanage daily habits has drawn accusations of "armchair policymaking."
On the other side, there is empathy for the "this is a crisis" argument. Among middle-aged and older citizens who lived through the IMF crisis, opinions such as "we may not be collecting gold like back then, but if the country is in trouble, we can endure this much inconvenience" have emerged. Some citizens said they would actually start using public transportation or cut back on personal vehicle use, noting, "How serious must things be if the government is telling us to shorten our showers?"
Meanwhile, the International Energy Agency (IEA) has also emphasized energy conservation policies, stating that "demand restraint measures such as expanding remote work and promoting public transportation use are essential." Countries around the world have been rolling out measures to directly reduce energy consumption.
Sri Lanka introduced a four-day workweek for public institutions and schools and implemented fuel rationing. Bangladesh ordered universities to close and banned air conditioning set below 25 degrees Celsius. Pakistan imposed a two-week school closure nationwide. Thailand recommended remote work for civil servants and directed them to use stairs instead of elevators, demanding changes in daily behavior.