South Korean prosecutors said Monday they are investigating Volkswagen AG’s newly launched cars for possible emission fabrication.

The prosecutors said the probe will focus on the German carmaker’s 2016 cars, which have passed Europe’s stronger emission standards, known as the Euro 6.


On Friday, prosecutors raided a vehicle inspection center of the Korean unit of Volkswagen AG. They also confiscated about 10 vehicles that met the new European standards.

Previously, Volkswagen’s four diesel-engine vehicles, including the Audi A3 that were designed to meet the Euro 5 emission standards, were found to have their emission results fabricated.

Mass recalls were announced all over the world last year in an ensuing scandal.

In November, South Korean authorities fined the German automaker 14.1 billion won ($12.2 million) and ordered a recall of the emissions-fabricated vehicles. Thousands of car owners have also joined a class-action lawsuit to demand refunds and compensation.

Volkswagen has said it plans to start the recall process of their emissions-faked vehicles sold in South Korea from late April.

(khnews@heraldcorp.com)