Special Vehicle Emission Crackdown Starts Tomorrow... Up to 2 Million KRW Fine for Non-Compliance

Asia Economy DB=Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bo-kyung] The government will conduct a nationwide special crackdown on vehicle emissions throughout June to reduce fine dust. A fine of up to 2 million KRW will be imposed for non-compliance.

The Ministry of Environment announced on the 2nd that, together with local governments and the Korea Environment Corporation, it will intensively inspect vehicle emissions at over 680 locations nationwide from the 3rd to the 30th to reduce fine dust from vehicles.

This crackdown will also include non-face-to-face inspections to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Non-face-to-face inspections use remote sensing devices (RSD) and video cameras without stopping vehicles in motion.

For roadside inspections targeting smoke emissions, personnel will wear personal protective equipment such as masks and follow COVID-19 prevention guidelines while conducting their duties.

The Environment Corporation will carry out inspections using remote sensing devices (RSD) on gasoline and liquefied petroleum gas vehicles in eight designated "emission inspection areas," including six locations in the Seoul metropolitan area and one each in Cheonan and Changwon.

Among these, two locations (north end of Dongjak Bridge and south end of Dongho Bridge) will have electronic display boards installed in front, allowing drivers to immediately check their vehicle’s emission levels and encouraging voluntary maintenance and inspection.

Local governments will focus on cracking down on cargo trucks, buses, and academy vehicles, which have a high proportion of fine dust emissions and frequent urban movement. Roadside inspections using measuring devices and video cameras will be conducted in vehicle-dense areas such as garages, academy districts, logistics centers, ports, and airports after vehicles stop.

All vehicle drivers must comply with this crackdown. Those who refuse, evade, or obstruct the inspection will be fined up to 2 million KRW.

Vehicles exceeding emission standards will receive an improvement order to undergo maintenance and inspection within 15 days. Failure to comply may result in a suspension of operation for up to 10 days, and non-compliance with the suspension order can lead to a fine of up to 3 million KRW.

Geum Han-seung, Director of Air Quality Policy at the Ministry of Environment, said, "This crackdown aims to encourage vehicle owners to voluntarily maintain and inspect their vehicles to reduce fine dust emissions." He added, "We are actively guiding the public to utilize government-supported programs such as installing emission reduction devices on old diesel vehicles, driving restrictions, and early scrapping."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.