With President Lee Jae-myung directing "restricted driving by license plate," such as the five-day or 10-day rotation for vehicles, the government has begun reviewing how to implement it. The aim is to prepare for a prolonged situation in the Middle East caused by the U.S.-Iran war by having the entire nation join efforts to reduce energy demand. If vehicle restrictions are expanded nationwide and to the private sector, it would be the first time since 1991 during the Gulf War.

On the 17th, President Lee said, "We need to expand energy-saving efforts across society," and added, "If necessary, please establish multifaceted measures to reduce energy demand, such as a five-day or 10-day rotation for automobiles." An official at the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment said, "We are reviewing the scope and timing so that, if restrictions are implemented, they can be applied only 'as minimally as necessary.'"

On the morning of the 17th, an advisory sign for the odd-even vehicle restriction under the emergency fine dust reduction measures is installed at the entrance to Government Complex Seoul in Jongno-gu, Seoul, as emergency measures for high concentrations of fine dust are in effect. /Courtesy of News1

According to the government, the last time vehicle restrictions were expanded nationwide and to the private sector was in the 1990s. First, during the oil shock in the 1970s, there was a case where the operation of luxury passenger cars was banned. At the time, the government completely banned the operation of luxury passenger cars with eight cylinders or more and the operation of passenger cars on public holidays, except for ambulances, news-gathering vehicles, and foreign-registered cars. Later, when oil prices surged after the Gulf War broke out in 1990, a 10-day rotation was implemented for about two months in 1991. During the 1997 foreign exchange crisis, the two-day rotation known as the "odd-even system" was discussed, but it was not ultimately implemented.

Since the 2000s, it has been implemented in a limited way at the level of public institutions or some local governments. During the 2002 World Cup, some local governments, including the Seoul Metropolitan Government, implemented the "odd-even system." In June 2006, under energy consumption suppression measures for the "new high oil price era," a weekday-based rotation for passenger cars at public institutions was also implemented.

Currently, when emergency reduction measures are implemented due to high concentrations of ultrafine dust, a two-day rotation is applied to administrative and public institutions. However, it is said that no substantial penalties are imposed for noncompliance.

※ This article has been translated by AI. Share your feedback here.