[THE INVESTOR] German carmaker Volkswagen’s headquarters ordered the manipulation of emissions tests for vehicles imported into Korea, Seoul prosecutors said on June 17.

The investigators have secured evidence that German officials ordered the manipulation of software in the seventh generation Volkswagen Golf to secure approval from Korea’s National Institute of Environmental Research. Under local laws, all imported cars have to receive approval from the state-run agency of their emission result and noise levels.

The embattled model is Golf 1.4TSI, which sold 1,567 units in Korea since March 2015. According to the investigative authorities, the unit initially failed to meet the emission level to be eligible for export. However, after rejection by Korean authorities, the company manipulated the engine control unit to emit less of poisonous nitrogen oxide, an official with the investigation told local media.

With the latest finding, insiders raise the possibility of expanding the probe to the German headquarters.

By Ahn Sung-mi ()


sahn@heraldcorp.com