SEOUL, Aug. 2 (Xinhua) -- South Korea's environment ministry said Tuesday that it banned sales and cancelled certifications of tens of thousands of Volkswagen vehicles sold here as the German carmaker is suspected of fabricating documents on emissions tests and noise level.
Under the administrative measure taken by the ministry, 83,000 units of 80 Volkswagen models will be subject to the sales ban and the cancellation of certifications. Those vehicles were sold between 2009 and July 25 this year.
Among the total, 14 models, including A6 3.0 TDI Quattro, had already been prohibited from selling here. The remaining 66 models, such as Golf GTD BMT, were newly placed under sales ban.
The punitive measure came as the German carmaker is suspected of doctoring reports on emissions and noise level tests.
The environment ministry separately slapped 17.8 billion won (16 million U.S. dollars) in fines on the German automaker for emissions test fabrication.
However, those vehicles will not be recalled as consumers bought Volkswagen cars without recognition on faked documents, the ministry said. Owners of the vehicles will not be restricted from selling their cars or driving their vehicles.
Earlier this year, the ministry filed a complaint with the prosecution against Volkswagen for violating the clean air conservation act. Prosecutors reportedly found evidence that the German carmaker had fabricated documents, notifying the ministry of its findings.
Audi Volkswagen Korea, the local unit of the German automaker, said on its website that it was regrettable for the ministry to have taken the sternest measures, and that it will review possible responses to the ministry's decision.
