Volkswagen Faces South Korean Probe Over Alleged Emissions Test Fabrication
Prosecutors in Seoul allege Volkswagen submitted falsified emissions and noise documentation for dozens of models, escalating scrutiny of foreign carmakers after the diesel scandal.
South Korean prosecutors have accused Volkswagen of submitting fabricated emissions and noise-level documents for 37 vehicle models, intensifying the fallout from the diesel emissions scandal in one of Asia's largest diesel markets.
Officials from the Seoul Central District Prosecutors Office said the company manipulated test reports before submitting them to the National Institute of Environmental Research. The allegations cover a range of models, with the Volkswagen Golf and Audi RS7 specifically named by authorities. Senior executives from Volkswagen and its Audi division in South Korea were summoned to answer the allegations before a government committee in June 2016.
The probe follows a series of raids on Volkswagen’s local offices and the homes of senior staff, first in February and again in the spring, as authorities sought evidence of document forgery related to both emissions and fuel efficiency tests. The South Korean government has made clear it intends to scrutinise all carmakers operating in the country after the Volkswagen diesel scandal brought regulatory attention to emissions compliance.
Details of the South Korean investigation
According to prosecutors, the manipulated documents were intended to secure regulatory approval for the affected models’ sale in South Korea. The authorities have not yet specified the full list of vehicles involved, but the inclusion of both mainstream and performance models highlights the breadth of the investigation. The National Institute of Environmental Research is reviewing the submissions as part of the inquiry.
South Korea is the second-largest market for diesel cars in Asia after India, making emissions compliance a key regulatory and commercial issue for foreign manufacturers. The government’s approach has included not only criminal investigation but also potential fines and recalls. In a related development, the environment ministry has also accused Nissan of using an emissions bypass device on the Euro 6 diesel Qashqai, threatening fines, a recall and a complaint against the company’s local leadership.
Broader impact for foreign brands
The South Korean government’s investigation signals a tougher regulatory stance towards emissions compliance. For Volkswagen, the probe adds further legal and reputational pressure in a market already wary after the global diesel emissions revelations. Other foreign manufacturers are now subject to increased scrutiny, with the potential for further actions if similar violations are uncovered.
