A, a public institution executive in his 50s working in Bundang-gu, Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, shared, "My 20-kilometer commute, which usually took 40 minutes by car, now requires me to take public transportation every other day. Transferring to a bus makes the commute almost two hours. Honestly, just going to work itself has become a burden."

B, a civil servant commuting to the Government Complex Seoul, said, "With the recent implementation of the five-shift system, I arranged a carpool with a colleague. However, a few days later, when it switched to the two-shift system, we realized both of us have even-numbered vehicles. Now, I'm looking for a new carpool team with an odd-numbered car."

Up to 2 Hours Commute Due to Strengthened Two-Day Rotation System

Confusion Worsens Over Carpool Reorganization and Rental Car Issues

Increasing Complaints About Inconvenience of Transferring Buses and Subways

Growing Burden from Possibility of Notification and Disciplinary Action for Violations

As the prolonged Middle East conflict deepens the energy crisis, the government has strengthened the two-shift (odd-even) vehicle rotation system for public sector vehicles, rapidly transforming the commuting landscape for public officials. Posts seeking carpool partners are flooding employee communities, and various response strategies are emerging, such as rotating family vehicles.

Starting April 8, the government implemented the two-shift system for approximately 11,000 institutions, including central administrative agencies, local governments, public institutions, municipal and provincial education offices, and national and public schools. This measure follows the escalation of the national resource security warning to the "alert" level and the shift from the previous five-shift system to the newly strengthened two-shift system. Under this rule, only vehicles with odd-numbered license plates can operate on odd days, and only those with even-numbered license plates can operate on even days. Practically, the entire nation's public sector is now subject to this regulation.

On the first day of the two-shift system, the morning commute looked noticeably different. At the entrance to the Government Complex Sejong, administrators inspected each vehicle’s license plate, personally verifying exceptions before granting entry. One government employee said, "I left home in a rush and drove out without thinking, but then remembered the two-shift rule. In the end, I had to go back, park my car, and walk for 30 minutes to get to work."

In employee communities, various strategies are being shared to cope with the two-shift system in public institutions. An employee at an energy public corporation revealed, "I considered renting a car with a different number just to comply. I’m debating whether I really need to use a rental car just for commuting." Another worker said, "I have business trips scheduled, but I’m not sure whether I need to adjust the schedule due to the driving restriction, or if business vehicles qualify for an exception." There are also attempts to circumvent parking restrictions. One employee said, "Some suggested parking at an apartment complex a bit farther from the office and walking, but it's not easy due to potential complaints from residents."

Exception Criteria for Long-Distance Commuters Also Cause 'Confusion'

Attempts to Bypass Parking and Use Loopholes Appear

Government Employees' Union Calls for Expansion of Remote and Flexible Work

State of Emergency Across the Public Sector Amid Energy Crisis

This measure is not merely a recommendation but is essentially mandatory. In the case of government complexes, violations are reported to the head of the relevant institution, and repeated violations can result in parking access restrictions or disciplinary action. The number of violations is managed cumulatively, including those from the previous five-shift system.

However, not all vehicles are uniformly restricted. According to the government’s two-shift implementation plan, private cars and official vehicles used by public institution employees for commuting are generally subject to the system, but electric and hydrogen vehicles, vehicles for people with disabilities, and vehicles carrying pregnant women or infants are exempt.

There may also be exceptions for long-distance commuters. If a one-way commute exceeds 30 kilometers or takes more than 90 minutes, based on the usual commuting route, the head of the institution can grant an exception within the necessary minimum scope. However, this standard is not absolute and may be adjusted according to each institution’s circumstances.

The National Government Employees’ Union argued against the blanket enforcement of the two-shift system, stating, "Expanding flexible and remote work would fundamentally eliminate the energy spent on commuting." They added, "Switching in-person reports and long-distance meetings to video conferencing would minimize unnecessary travel and help reshape energy consumption patterns." The union also emphasized that, "For regions with insufficient public transportation infrastructure, such as Sejong City and other new towns, for public officials raising elementary school children or younger, and for emergency field personnel, flexible management and exception rules that reflect the nature of the work, rather than uniform restrictions, must be guaranteed."

Although vehicles used for business purposes, such as business trips or fieldwork, are generally subject to the two-shift system, temporary exceptions are allowed with the head’s approval in cases of urgency or significant inconvenience when using public transportation. When employees on shift work or on-call duty enter on a non-designated day and leave the next day (the designated off day), it is recommended that their vehicles be recognized as exceptions. If they receive documentation from the relevant department and display it on the vehicle windshield, the exception is granted. Meanwhile, some private companies are also participating in the energy-saving initiative by implementing their own five-shift or two-shift systems for vehicles and restricting elevator use outside of commuting and lunch hours. The government stated, "The public sector must take the lead in conservation during this energy supply crisis," urging everyone, "to actively cooperate with the two-shift vehicle system and the five-shift system for public parking lots, even if it causes some inconvenience."