Intensive Emission Inspection of Diesel Vehicles Nationwide Until March Next Year

Implementation of the 3rd Seasonal Fine Dust Management System
Maintenance and Inspection Orders for Vehicles Exceeding Emission Standards
10-Day Driving Suspension for Non-Compliance

[Sejong=Asia Economy Reporter Joo Sang-don] The Ministry of Environment announced on the 30th that during the 3rd Seasonal Fine Dust Management System period (December 1, 2021 ? March 31, 2022), it will conduct intensive inspections of vehicle emissions at over 550 locations nationwide in cooperation with 17 cities and provinces and the Korea Environment Corporation.

First, each city and province nationwide will focus on inspecting diesel vehicles such as freight trucks, buses, and academy vehicles that frequently move within urban areas and are considered high-risk for fine dust emissions. Inspections will be conducted using stationary measurement devices and video cameras at locations with high vehicle density, including city and intercity bus garages, academy districts, logistics centers, ports, and airports.

The Korea Environment Corporation will carry out remote emission inspections using Remote Sensing Devices (RSD) targeting vehicles in motion (gasoline and liquefied petroleum gas) mainly in four air quality management zones: the Seoul Metropolitan Area, Central Region, Southern Region, and Southeastern Region, covering 8 special and metropolitan cities and 69 cities and counties.

All vehicle drivers must comply with these inspections. Failure to comply, evasion, or obstruction of the inspection will result in a fine of up to 2 million KRW.

Owners of vehicles exceeding the emission standards will receive an improvement order to have their vehicles maintained and inspected within 15 days. Failure to carry out maintenance and inspection will result in a driving suspension of up to 10 days, and non-compliance with the suspension order may lead to a fine of up to 3 million KRW.

This inspection will also target idling vehicles parked or stopped at terminals, garages, and parking lots. To reduce air pollution and fuel loss caused by vehicle emissions, each city and province restricts vehicle idling according to their ordinances. Drivers violating these restrictions will be fined up to 1 million KRW.

Kim Seung-hee, Director of Air Quality Policy at the Ministry of Environment, stated, "This inspection is a preventive measure to reduce excessive fine dust emissions from vehicles during winter. We will also actively promote driving restrictions on old diesel vehicles and low-emission measures to make every effort to reduce fine dust."