Prosecution Indicts Porsche Corporation and CEO Over 'Emissions Manipulation Suspicions'

Porsche Center Ilsan

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyung-min] The prosecution investigating allegations of illegal manipulation of diesel vehicle emissions has suspended prosecution in the consumer group's complaint case against Porsche's German headquarters, Korean corporation, and president.

According to the legal community on the 21st, the Criminal Division 5 of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office (Chief Prosecutor Han Yoon-kyung) provisionally suspended prosecution on the 16th against Herbert Diess, President of Porsche AG, the corporation, Christian Natter, President of Porsche Korea, and the corporation.

They examined charges including violations of the Air Quality Preservation Act, fraud, and obstruction of official duties by deception against President Diess and others, but took this action citing reasons such as evidence being located overseas.

The prosecution also issued a similar suspension of prosecution last year for a similar case. They have currently requested international criminal judicial cooperation from Germany and plan to resume investigation once the necessary materials arrive.

Suspension of prosecution is a measure to halt investigation until reasons such as the suspect's unknown whereabouts are resolved when the investigation cannot be concluded. The statute of limitations for the charges against them ranges from as early as May 2021 to as late as December 2025.

President Natter was initially reported to be staying abroad but is currently said to be residing in South Korea.

Earlier, the Consumer Sovereignty Citizens' Association (Consumer Sovereignty) filed a complaint with the prosecution on May 21, requesting investigation into Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, Porsche corporations and 12 representatives on charges including violations of the Air Quality Preservation Act.

The group claimed that these three companies sold diesel vehicles with manipulated emission devices, gaining illegal profits amounting to hundreds to thousands of billions of won, disregarding our systems and regulations and mocking consumers.

The prosecution is conducting investigations into the other two companies except Porsche. They also conducted raids on Mercedes-Benz Korea headquarters on May 27-28 and June 12.

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