Gwangju City Conducts Inspection and Supervision of Auto Repair Shops and Tire Sales Maintenance Conditions

Focus Inspection on Unregistered Maintenance Businesses... Criminal Charges Filed if Detected

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Seon-gang] Gwangju Metropolitan City announced on the 26th that, starting next month, it will conduct guidance and crackdowns on unregistered repair activities targeting automobile repair shops and tire retailers within the city in cooperation with autonomous districts and maintenance associations.

The inspection targets include 1,316 automobile repair businesses registered in Gwangju and all tire retailers. The plan is to crack down on repair activities such as wheel alignment performed using wheel alignment equipment without registering as a repair business.

According to current law, even without registering as an automobile repair business, simple repairs such as ▲oil refilling and replacement ▲air cleaner and filter replacement ▲battery, electrical wiring, and bulb replacement ▲cooling system inspection ▲interior equipment and body inspection not involving sheet metal, painting, or welding can be performed by tire businesses. However, tire wheel alignment repairs can only be performed by businesses registered as automobile repair shops.

In particular, following a recent incident where a tire retailer in the area deliberately damaged the wheels of a customer's vehicle who came to replace tires and recommended wheel replacement, a full investigation of tire retailers in the area will be conducted to prevent recurrence of the same crime, with a focus on checking for unregistered repair businesses.

If an unregistered business is caught engaging in illegal activities, it will be subject to imprisonment of up to three years or a fine of up to 30 million won according to relevant laws.

Based on the inspection results, the city plans to establish sound order in automobile management businesses through criminal prosecution measures against unregistered illegal activities.

Additionally, to prevent citizen damage caused by unregistered illegal repairs and to foster a healthy automobile repair industry, the city will disclose on its website the status of tire retailers registered as repair businesses so that consumers can be informed.

Son Doo-young, head of the city's Public Transportation Division, said, “Wheel alignment repair is more important for driving safety than economic factors in automobiles. Since repairs can only be performed by those with professional qualifications, consumers should make sure to verify that the repair shop is officially registered and professional to receive safe automobile repair services.”