[Exclusive] Considering Restrictions on Public Diesel Vehicle Operation Amid 'Yososu Shortage' Crisis

President Moon: "We will do our utmost to stabilize supply and demand"
Policy to request restriction on use of essential vehicles in public institutions

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[Sejong=Asia Economy Reporter Joo Sang-don] The government is considering measures to restrict the operation of diesel vehicles, such as official buses and sport utility vehicles (SUVs), in public institutions. As the shortage of urea solution is likely to prolong, the government has taken out the card of minimizing diesel vehicle operation starting from the public sector, which has influential power. On the 9th, President Moon Jae-in defined the urea solution issue as an "urgent matter" at the Cabinet meeting, stating, "We will prioritize using the surplus in the public sector where it is urgently needed and do our utmost to stabilize supply and demand through emergency supply adjustment measures."

A senior government official said on the same day, "Some local governments are currently recommending that basic local governments and public institutions voluntarily refrain from operating diesel vehicles in preparation for the prolonged situation," adding, "Reducing the use of urea solution in the public sector is also seen as an alternative at the central government level to alleviate the urea solution crisis."

The government's restriction on diesel vehicle operation in public institutions is likely to follow local government measures. Currently, Seoul City has ordered the suspension of operation for non-dispatch fire trucks that use urea solution. Gyeonggi Province has also requested its jurisdictional cities, counties, and public institutions to restrict use except for essential diesel vehicles. The government is reportedly planning to include large buses using diesel and diesel SUVs used for on-site inspections in the target for operation restraint. Currently, the government is assessing the stock and essential usage of urea solution in each local government and public institution, and once the status is confirmed, it plans to request minimization of operation.

However, the government has drawn a line by stating that it is not currently considering requests for voluntary reduction of urea solution use in the private sector. The official said, "It is not the government's role to ask the public to refrain from use just because urea solution is in short supply," adding, "Since the government is working comprehensively to secure additional urea solution, expanding supply as much as possible is the priority."

It is uncertain whether measures to restrict the operation of official buses and others to reduce urea solution consumption will be effective. This is because diesel vehicles account for only about 30% of all official vehicles, and there is unavoidable demand for fire trucks, police buses, and others.

At the Cabinet meeting that day, President Moon emphasized that the public sector should set an example. In his opening remarks, President Moon stressed, "We will prioritize using the surplus in the public sector where it is urgently needed and do our utmost to stabilize supply and demand through emergency supply adjustment measures." He continued, "The government is mobilizing all diplomatic capabilities to secure overseas supplies with full effort," and added, "I ask the public not to have excessive anxiety."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.