The nation's top business lobby said Monday that it has officially requested the government to put clocks forward an hour in the summer to reduce energy use and revive domestic demand.
The Federation of Korean Industries (FKI), which represents the nation's powerful family-controlled conglomerates, delivered the letter of request to the government of President Roh Moo-hyun. It calls for an early introduction of the daylight saving time, in which clocks are set an hour ahead of standard time.
Previously, officials at the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Energy said they would review the proposal if it were presented to them.
``Now it's time to focus on reviving domestic consumption by introducing the summer time system,'' the FKI said in a statement, referring to daylight saving time.
Officials at the ministry weren't immediately available for comment.
While employers hope the government will introduce daylight saving time, polls show people aren't in favor of it because it could mean longer working hours.
Daylight saving time was used in South Korea from 1986 to 1988, when the nation hosted the Asian Games and Olympic Games, according to the FKI.