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Amid skyrocketing oil prices, an increasing number of people are calling for the introduction of daylight saving time, which was shelved by the government. Last year, a government-funded think tank reported its introduction would save energy worth about W92 billion (US$1=W1,030) and bring about production and consumption effects worth as much as W2 trillion. But the review has been suspended since last September.
A senior official with the Ministry of Knowledge Economy on Wednesday said the review of daylight saving time started in July 2006, with the government outsourcing research on the issue several times and conducting surveys. ¡°But we've suspended discussion as we've concluded that the inconvenience to people would be greater than the economic benefits,¡± he added.
The figure of several trillions of won was based on a dubious calculation, he said, and the energy conservation effect, the real goal of daylight saving time, would be less than W100 billion, so it would be difficult to continue to implement a policy that affects all people.
The government believes public opinion is not behind daylight saving time. Another ministry official said, "Only in one of several surveys conducted so far did more than 50 percent of respondents support introduction of such a system. In most of the surveys, about 35 percent opposed it. If those who gave no responses are taken into consideration, the average ratio of opponents was at the 40 percent level. Under these circumstances, it's not easy to push for the implementation of such a policy."
It takes at least about six months to prepare for daylight saving time. To implement the system, it would be necessary to resolve legal problems by enacting a presidential decree on the country's standard time and change all time schedules for airlines and maritime and land transport. It is also necessary to ask the International Civil Aviation Organization before November for a readjustment of time schedules for the use of international airports during summer. In this situation, it is impossible to introduce summertime either this year or next year.
But business circles are enthusiastic. Lee Byung-woog, head of Industrial Research Division of the Federation of Korean Industries, said, "Besides the economic benefits to be brought about by energy conservation and reduction in traffic accidents, the introduction of summertime would galvanize business worth at least W2,152.8 billion -- W1,290 billion for production effects and W862.8 billion for consumption effects. We should introduce it as soon as possible."
Labor organizations are opposed to the idea, in the belief that it would only prolong working hours for most workers, except government employees and office workers.
Pundits point out that the situation has changed to a great extent now Dubai crude, which was US$68.43 per barrel on average last year, has exceeded $120 per barrel.
Lee Sung-keun, a researcher at the Korea Energy Economics Institute, said, "Now we need a leadership that can implement policies while creating a national consensus."
(englishnews@chosun.com )
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