A vehicle inspection center [Korea Transportation Safety Authority]
A vehicle inspection center [Korea Transportation Safety Authority]

The Ministry of Climate, Environment and Energy and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport announced Thursday that a joint special inspection of 201 private vehicle inspection centers, conducted with local governments, uncovered illegal practices at 23 of them.

The inspection ran for three weeks from June 8 to June 26 and covered about 10 percent of the country's 1,994 designated private vehicle inspection centers.

The most common violation was poor recording of inspection procedures, with six cases. Inspectors found five cases of skipped inspection steps, three cases of facilities or equipment falling below required standards, and nine other violations — including falsifying inspection records and failing to maintain equipment calibration.

At least one center was also caught illegally modifying its emissions-measuring equipment in a manner that deviated from its approved specifications.

As a result of the findings, 10 inspection centers face suspension of operations and seven technical staff members face suspension from their duties. Administrative penalties, including fines, will be imposed in 13 additional cases.

Kim Jin-sik, director general of the atmospheric environment bureau at the Ministry of Climate, Environment and Energy, said the ministry would continue to work closely with relevant agencies to establish proper vehicle inspection order, strengthen the effectiveness of inspections and ensure public safety and environmental protection.


thlee@heraldcorp.com