Supreme Court Confirms 10 Million Won Fine for Korea Nissan in 'Emissions Certification Manipulation' Case

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Daehyun] Korea Nissan, which was prosecuted for falsifying emission certification documents of sold vehicles, has had its fine confirmed by the Supreme Court. Some executives and employees responsible for the work also had suspended prison sentences and fines confirmed.

On the 3rd, the Supreme Court's First Division (Presiding Justice No Taeak) announced that it upheld the original ruling that sentenced Korea Nissan to a fine of 10 million won in the appeal trial for violating the Automobile Management Act. Among those prosecuted, employee Jang was sentenced to 6 months in prison with a 2-year suspension, and two other related persons were fined 3 million won and 5 million won respectively.

Previously, they were prosecuted on charges of falsifying emission and fuel efficiency test reports during the certification process of the compact SUV 'Qashqai' and the mid-size sedan 'Infiniti Q50' from 2012 to 2015. They were accused of submitting test reports of other vehicles' self-diagnostic devices as if they were test reports for the Q50 and Qashqai.

The first trial found Korea Nissan guilty of violating the Automobile Management Act and sentenced them to a fine of 15 million won. Jang was sentenced to 6 months in prison with a 2-year suspension, and two other related persons were fined 3 million won and 5 million won respectively. However, another related person prosecuted alongside was acquitted, as the court found no evidence of conspiracy.

The second trial reduced Korea Nissan's fine to 10 million won, stating that the previous Automobile Management Act stipulated fines of up to 10 million won at the time of the offense. The other sentences were upheld.

The Supreme Court also agreed with this judgment. The court stated, "The lower court did not err in its understanding of the law regarding 'documents' in the crimes of forgery and use of forged documents, and 'vehicle type' as defined in Article 30, Paragraph 1 of the former Automobile Management Act, and this did not affect the judgment," dismissing all appeals.

Meanwhile, Korea Nissan withdrew from the Korean market last year due to the boycott of Japanese products and the impact of COVID-19.