[Anchor]
The government has tightened the public-sector five-day driving restriction, and it took effect today (March 25).
On the first day, some drivers turned back after being unsure whether the rule applied to them, while others parked improperly in outdoor lots that lack entry-control barriers.
Reporter Lee Ji-hyun filed this report from the scene.
[Reporter]
As part of measures to respond to the energy shock originating in the Middle East, authorities strengthened the public-sector five-day vehicle restriction, and today was its first day in force.
Staff blocked vehicles trying to enter the Government Complex Seoul.
Vehicles with license plates ending in the digit 3 were subject to the Wednesday restriction.
「On-site audio」 Since the five-day rule has been tightened, it's been harder to get in today.
The situation was the same outside the Government Complex Sejong.
Some drivers, unaware that compact cars and even HYBE lead vehicles — which had previously been exempt from the weekday rule — were now included, drove out and then had to turn back.
「On-site audio」 HYBE lead vehicles are not exempt from the five-day rule. (They aren't exempt?) No, starting today.
The outdoor parking lot in front of the Government Complex Sejong, which lacks signage and entry-control equipment, filled up quickly; empty spaces were hard to find.
Many vehicles whose plate numbers fell under the restriction ended up parking improperly in various spots.
Outside the Seoul City Hall lot, which sees many visitors, staff were tasked with distinguishing government vehicles from visitors' cars.
「On-site audio」 A government employee or... (Oh, no.) Aren't you a staff member? (No, no.)
Electric and hydrogen vehicles can be identified by their plates, but staff had to verify other cases individually, such as pregnant drivers or drivers with disabilities.
At parking-lot entrances, staff checked at the barriers to determine whether each vehicle fell under the five-day restriction.
Authorities will issue a warning for a first violation, but if a vehicle is caught violating the rule four or more times, the government plans to impose disciplinary measures.
The strengthened public-sector five-day restriction will remain in place until the resource security crisis alert is lifted.
This is Lee Ji-hyun for Yonhap News TV.
[Video reporting: Kim Dong-hwa, Choi Seong-min, Jeong Jin-woo, Seo Chung-won]
[Video editing: Kim Geon-young]
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Lee Ji-hyun (ji@yna.co.kr)
