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Officials in South Korea will have to restrict the amount of time they spend driving their government vehicles, as part of a new effort to combat skyrocketing oil prices.

The South Korean government today (Sunday) announced a series of measures designed to cut energy consumption, putting restrictions on transportation for the first time since the country hosted the 1988 summer Olympics.

Prime Minister Han Seung-soo says vehicles at more than 800 government offices will remain idle every other day beginning July 15th.

Other measures include limiting the use of air-conditioning at government buildings.

South Korea is the world's fifth-largest oil consumer and imports nearly all of its oil. Officials hope to cut the amount of energy used by the government by at least six percent.

Mr. Han also encouraged private citizens to reduce their energy usage.