Sacheon City Strengthens Proactive Response to Economic Shock from Middle East

Sacheon City, Gyeongsangnam-do, held a “Strategic Meeting for Proactive Response to the Resource Security Crisis” on April 6, further strengthening its emergency economic response system to address rising energy and commodity prices and industrial impacts resulting from instability in the Middle East.

This meeting was convened to minimize the impact on the local economy and citizens’ livelihoods due to ongoing increases in international oil prices and continued instability in raw material supply caused by the recent Middle East conflict.

Sichuan City is holding a strategic meeting for proactive response to the resource security crisis originating from the Middle East.

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◆ Expanded Operation of the Emergency Economic Response Task Force: Three-Pronged Approach Targeting Livelihoods, Industry, and Related Agencies

To proactively address the economic crisis triggered by the Middle East conflict, Sacheon City has been operating an “Emergency Economic Countermeasures Task Force (TF)” since March 27, led by the Deputy Mayor. The TF consists of three working teams: the Livelihood Stabilization Team, the Industrial Enterprise Stabilization Team, and the Related Agencies Support Team. All city departments are participating, establishing an all-out response system.

Since launching the TF, the city has continued to run joint price inspection units to manage the prices of daily necessities, inspect compliance with the price display system, and promote the eradication of price gouging. Special inspections of gas stations are also ongoing to monitor unfair practices, price labeling, and supply conditions.

From March 25, the city implemented a five-day rotation restriction for public institution vehicles, enforcing strict measures against violators and actively encouraging public transportation use to reduce fuel consumption. In preparation for the two-day rotation system for public sector vehicles starting April 8, the city plans to operate shuttle buses for commuting.

Additionally, the city will implement a staggered lighting system for government buildings (street lights, underground parking lots, offices), enforce complete lights-off sessions during lunch breaks, and operate city hall elevators by alternating between odd and even-numbered floors to reduce electricity consumption.

Furthermore, the city will shorten the operating hours of urban landscape lighting, tourist facility lighting, and electronic displays to 10 p.m.; focus the operation of cultural and sports facilities on essential hours; and adjust lighting schedules to minimize unnecessary heating and cooling.

Through these measures, the city aims to not only reduce overall electricity consumption but also foster a culture of energy conservation among citizens.

◆ Protection of Primary Industries such as Fisheries and Agriculture: Expanded Support for Fuel and Feed Costs

Support for fishermen and farmers, who are directly affected by rising international oil prices, will be strengthened. The city is expanding its offshore and coastal fishing vessel fuel subsidy program (securing an additional 114 million won for coastal fishing vessel fuel subsidies) and working to alleviate the burden on fisheries management due to soaring duty-free fuel prices. Notably, Sacheon is the only city in Gyeongsangnam-do to implement the offshore fishing vessel fuel subsidy.

In the agricultural sector, the city is providing 232.6 million won in policy funds for feed purchases, and has already secured 589 tons of fertilizer and 17,286 tons of organic fertilizer to ensure a stable supply of farming inputs. The city also encourages the production and use of alternative fertilizers, promotes the use of eco-friendly farm materials, and plans to expand the use of livestock compost in cooperation with livestock farms.

◆ Price Stabilization and Relief for Citizens: Considering Deferral of Rate Increases

Measures to stabilize livelihoods in light of high inflation are also being implemented. Beginning in April, the city will increase the purchase limits for Sacheon Love Gift Certificates to 400,000 won for mobile and 300,000 won for paper certificates, and will introduce a new rental support program for small business owners.

The city is also considering postponing the scheduled increase in sewage fees (planned for July 2026) and will actively promote the installment payment system for farmland preservation charges (up to four installments from the date of approval) to reduce financial burdens for citizens and businesses.

In addition, various financial support programs, such as the Gyeongnam resident living support allowance (100,000 won per person), the energy voucher linked to the government’s supplementary budget, and oil price subsidies, will be swiftly implemented.

◆ Expanding Citizen Participation: Enhanced Campaigns and Public Awareness

Sacheon City will expand private sector participation beyond the public sector. The city is launching the “Dim the Lights, Save Energy!” campaign targeting food and public hygiene businesses, implementing a five-day rotation for vehicles in public parking lots, and promoting energy-saving practices among families.

The city will also enhance information-sharing and monitoring of misinformation via social media and official channels to minimize public anxiety.

A city official stated, “As the instability in the Middle East has increased the uncertainty in energy supply, the public sector will take the lead in energy conservation. Since administrative efforts alone have their limits, we ask that citizens actively participate in energy-saving measures at home and in the workplace.”

The city announced its plan to continuously monitor the response status of each department and maintain a comprehensive response system, introducing additional measures as needed, until the resource security crisis is resolved.

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