Supreme Court Confirms 1.1 Billion KRW Fine for Volkswagen's 'Emissions Manipulation' Case

Supreme Court Grand Bench.
Photo by Supreme Court

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Seok-jin, Legal Affairs Specialist] The fine imposed on Volkswagen Korea Corporation, which was prosecuted for emission manipulation, has been finalized.

The Supreme Court's 2nd Division (Presiding Justice Cheon Dae-yeop) announced on the 11th that it upheld the original ruling sentencing Audi Volkswagen Korea (AVK) Corporation to a fine of 1.1 billion KRW for violations of the Atmospheric Environment Conservation Act, the Act on Labeling and Advertising, and the Customs Act.

The Supreme Court dismissed all appeals from the prosecutor, former AVK President Park Dong-hoon, certification department head Mr. Yoon, and AVK, who were found guilty in the appellate court.

Former President Park, who was sentenced to two years in prison in the first trial, had his sentence reduced to eight months in prison with a two-year probation in the appellate court.

Mr. Yoon was sentenced to one year and six months in prison in the appellate court, which was heavier than the one-year prison sentence in the first trial due to partial conspiracy charges being recognized, and although he avoided detention in court, he will serve a prison term as the Supreme Court dismissed his appeal.

Previously, the first trial found AVK guilty of violating the Atmospheric Environment Conservation Act, Customs Act, and Act on Labeling and Advertising related to emission manipulation of 120,000 Volkswagen and Audi diesel vehicles of 15 models from 2008 to 2015 under the 'Euro 5' standard, and sentenced the company to a fine of 26 billion KRW.

However, the appellate court judged that the Korean corporation officials were unaware that Volkswagen installed dual software to manipulate emissions by making the harmful substance emissions differ between certification test mode and actual driving mode, overturned most of the charges to not guilty, and drastically reduced the fine to 1.1 billion KRW. Nevertheless, the court recognized guilt for Volkswagen's manipulation of emission and noise test documents (obstruction of official duties by deception, etc.).

The Supreme Court ruled that there was no legal error in the appellate court's judgment.

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