"I Want a Vasectomy... Now That It's Come to This, I Also Want One" Turns Out to Be Illegal Modification of Urea Solution

As the shortage crisis of urea solution continues on the 5th, cargo trucks are refilling urea solution at street vendors set up around the Woongdong hinterland area of Busan New Port in Jinhae-gu, Changwon City.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hwang Sumi] Amid the ongoing shortage of urea solution supply due to China's ban on urea exports, there is a growing trend of illegal modifications of diesel vehicles.

Recently, on an online cafe where truck drivers are members, posts requesting 'jeonggwansusul' have been continuously uploaded. The term 'jeonggwansusul' mentioned by them is a slang referring to illegal modifications that allow trucks to operate without urea solution.

According to the government and the oil industry on the 6th, among the 3.3 million diesel trucks currently in operation, about 2 million, or 60%, are equipped with Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) systems that require urea solution.

Vehicles equipped with this device are designed so that they cannot operate without urea solution. Additionally, if the urea solution runs out while driving, dangerous situations such as the vehicle stopping suddenly can occur.

However, as China's ban on urea exports has caused the price of urea solution to skyrocket and made it difficult to obtain, the number of drivers attempting to illegally modify their SCR systems is increasing.

This is to start the vehicle and maintain power without urea solution.

However, SCR modification is illegal. Also, if the SCR does not function properly, nitrogen oxides and carbon monoxide, which are air pollutants, are emitted without filtration, causing environmental problems.

In this regard, one truck driver said, "I traveled from Seoul to Daejeon to buy urea solution. The price is outrageously high," adding, "I wonder if I really have to keep driving like this, but since my livelihood depends on it, I feel helpless. I am seriously worried about when a definite solution will come out."

Another driver said, "Since the government has no substantial measures, it seems they cannot even enforce crackdowns. As a result, the temptation for illegal modifications is indeed growing."

Some have expressed concerns that "If the urea solution shortage prolongs, illegally modified vehicles will roam the roads, and only the trucks that comply with regulations will suffer."