Minister Kim Sungwhan Orders Inspections of Public Sector Vehicles in Temporary Parking Lots... Government Complex to Close Loopholes in Vehicle Rotation System

Cross-Checking Vehicle Registration, Notification to Department Heads
Plan to Install Signboards in Temporary Parking Lots

The government will expand its inspections to include temporary parking lots near the Sejong Government Complex in line with the strengthened enforcement of the mandatory public sector vehicle rotation system. This measure aims to address the blind spots of the vehicle rotation system at nearby parking areas, where there is currently no separate enforcement mechanism, by significantly enhancing the scope of management.

According to relevant ministries on March 27, Sungwhan Kim, Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment, recently instructed related departments to "strengthen inspections of the vehicle rotation system at temporary parking lots around the Sejong Government Complex." A senior official from the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment stated, "The minister emphasized that public institutions must take the lead in adhering to the vehicle rotation system," and added, "Starting next week, inspections of the system will be further strengthened at temporary parking lots surrounding the complex."

First, the Ministry plans to distinguish between public sector vehicles and private vehicles by cross-checking the registration information of vehicles parked in outdoor and temporary parking lots. If it is found that public sector vehicles subject to the rotation system are parked on restricted days, the Ministry will notify the heads of the respective institutions to prompt internal inspections and follow-up action.

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The government is also considering installing signboards at the entrances of each temporary parking lot to provide information about the vehicle rotation system. Currently, temporary parking lots do not provide sufficient guidance on the system, leading to cases where some drivers are either unaware of the regulation or intentionally circumvent it. The government plans to increase compliance among public sector vehicles and promote voluntary participation from private vehicle users by enhancing both guidance and inspections.

The decision to expand inspections stems from the clear disparity in the management of the vehicle rotation system between indoor and outdoor parking lots at the complex. While the indoor parking lots have an automated system that recognizes license plates and automatically blocks entry for vehicles violating the rotation rules, the outdoor and temporary parking lots lack such controls and have effectively operated without restrictions. As a result, vehicles barred from entering the indoor lots have flocked to the outdoor lots, undermining the effectiveness of the system.

This loophole has been confirmed in practice. On March 26, at the temporary parking lot near Building 9 of the Sejong Government Complex, multiple vehicles with license plates ending in 4 and 9—which are restricted on Thursdays—were observed parked. Even taking into account the mix of private vehicles, this case highlights the absence of a separate management system for public sector vehicles.

Kim Sung Hwan, Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment, is announcing energy-saving measures in response to the situation in the Middle East at the Government Seoul Office in Jongno-gu, Seoul on March 24, 2026. Photo by Jo Yongjun

However, since temporary parking lots are used by both public sector and private vehicles, it is difficult to immediately determine whether a vehicle belongs to a public institution through simple observation or on-site checks. Accordingly, the government plans to cooperate with the complex's management office to access vehicle registration information and progressively increase the level of oversight by introducing random inspections.

This measure was implemented in response to growing uncertainty in crude oil supply due to recent instability in the Middle East, particularly the military conflict between the United States and Iran. The government has significantly strengthened the mandatory vehicle rotation system for public sector vehicles based on the principle that the public sector should take the lead in energy conservation during an energy supply crisis. Previously, the effectiveness of the system was limited because its implementation was left to the discretion of each institution, but this time, the government aims to improve compliance through a structured system of inspections and notifications. Minister Kim stated, "The Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment must set an example first," adding, "Public institutions must demonstrate a responsible attitude that meets the expectations of the public."

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