Seoul raises alert level and rolls out conservation measures as Iran war disrupts oil and liquefied natural gas flows

South Korea has raised its oil-related resource security alert to “caution,” as prolonged instability in the Middle East heightens uncertainty over energy supply, the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment said on Tuesday. The alert was upgraded on March 18 from a “concern” level issued earlier this month, with Climate Minister Kim Sung-hwan presenting response measures at a Cabinet meeting aimed at stabilizing supply as global energy flows are disrupted by the war in Iran and the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

The government said it will adjust the power generation mix to curb liquefied natural gas (LNG) use, including restarting five nuclear reactors under maintenance by May and easing operational limits on coal-fired power plants when air quality allows. It will also implement demand-side measures such as a mandatory vehicle rotation system for public-sector employees, while considering similar requirements for the private sector if conditions worsen. Large energy-consuming firms will be asked to submit reduction plans, alongside efforts to accelerate renewable energy deployment and expand energy storage capacity.

South Korea has raised its oil-related resource security alert to “caution,” as prolonged instability in the Middle East heightens uncertainty over energy supply, the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment said on Tuesday. The alert was upgraded on March 18 from a “concern” level issued earlier this month, with Climate Minister Kim Sung-hwan presenting response measures at a Cabinet meeting aimed at stabilizing supply as global energy flows are disrupted by the war in Iran and the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

The government said it will adjust the power generation mix to curb liquefied natural gas (LNG) use, including restarting five nuclear reactors under maintenance by May and easing operational limits on coal-fired power plants when air quality allows. It will also implement demand-side measures such as a mandatory vehicle rotation system for public-sector employees, while considering similar requirements for the private sector if conditions worsen. Large energy-consuming firms will be asked to submit reduction plans, alongside efforts to accelerate renewable energy deployment and expand energy storage capacity.

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