Ministries, state-run companies told to switch off heating to save energy

SEOUL - South Korea's civil servants have been ordered to do their public duty by switching off the heating and donning long johns as the severe cold puts a strain on power resources, officials said on Monday.

In an emergency energy savings plan, all ministries and state-run companies have been told to turn off the heating from 11 am to noon and 5-6 pm, the Knowledge Economy Ministry said.