Public Parking Lot 5-Day Rotation System Implemented in Korea

The South Korean government is implementing a vehicle rationing system at public parking lots starting April 8, 2026, as part of a broader energy-saving campaign to address fuel shortages caused by a crisis in the Middle East.

The Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment (MCEE), led by Minister Kim Sunghwan, announced that the “passenger vehicle 5-day rotation system” will apply to publicly operated parking lots run by local governments and other public institutions.

The 5-Day Rotation System

Under the 5-day rotation system, vehicle access to public parking lots is restricted based on the last digit of the vehicle’s license plate on designated days of the week. This measure applies to all passenger vehicles, including hybrid and compact cars.

In Seoul, the system will be rolled out in more than half of the city’s public parking lots. Notices regarding the rotation system were posted at Seoul public parking lots on April 6, 2026, one day before the official start of the rationing scheme.

The MCEE has also established a separate odd-even vehicle restriction system for passenger cars at public institutions, effective April 8, 2026. This mandatory two-day rotation system requires vehicles operated by the government and public entities, as well as their employees, to run every other day.

Exemptions and Special Cases

The government has outlined several categories of vehicles that are exempt from these restrictions:

• Electric and hydrogen-powered vehicles.
• Vehicles belonging to national veterans of merit and persons with disabilities, including those riding as passengers.
• Vehicles transporting pregnant women or preschool-age children.
• Special-purpose vehicles, such as firefighting and medical units.
• Civil servants with limited access to public transportation.

the MCEE indicated that livelihood-related vehicles may also be eligible for exceptions.

Private Sector Response

Major South Korean conglomerates have begun adopting similar measures to support the government’s energy-saving drive. Samsung Group announced on April 6, 2026, that it will transition from a previous 10-day rotation scheme to a voluntary five-day vehicle rotation system for its employees starting April 8, 2026.

The previous 10-day system asked employees to refrain from driving one day out of every 10 based on their license plate numbers. The shift to a five-day system is intended to seek additional reductions in fuel consumption amid the global energy crisis.

LG Group also expanded its domestic operations from a 10-day system to a five-day rotation program, which took effect on April 6, 2026.