Seoul: Cheong Wa Dae announced initiatives to encourage the voluntary use of public transportation during off-peak hours by offering incentives, in response to unstable energy supply due to the Middle East crisis. The measures are aimed at mitigating the impact of rising oil prices, which have led to an increased reliance on public transit.

According to Yonhap News Agency, spokesperson Jeon Eun-su stated in a press briefing that an emergency response meeting was held to discuss strategies for distributing public transportation demand more evenly throughout the day. One approach includes the introduction of flexible working hours initially in the public sector, with potential expansion into the private sector.

In addition, the government is committed to ensuring safety management through interagency collaboration. This involves the transportation ministry spearheading efforts to develop a smart system that can implement scenario-based traffic policies. The recent escalation of the resource security crisis warning to Level 3 reflects concerns over potential disruptions in oil supply, particularly with the closure of the Strait of Hormuz amid ongoing tensions between the U.S. and Iran.

President Lee Jae Myung has urged the government to devise traffic control measures to reduce energy consumption during peak commuting hours, as part of broader efforts to address the challenges posed by the Middle East conflict.