VW gas car owners in Korea file a class action lawsuit

Korean consumers will file a class action lawsuit against gasoline cars of Volkswagen, which prosecutors’ recent prove found to have manipulated the engine-control unit (ECU) to meet the emission standards .

According to the auto industry on Sunday, Barun Law, a Korean law firm, decided to file a lawsuit with the Seoul Central District Court against Audi Volkswagen Korea and the Volkswagen head office on behalf of the owners of “Golf 1.4 TSI," which turned out to have sold vehicles with a defeat device. A total of 1,567 units have been sold since March last year.

Prosecutors announced on Friday that when Volkswagen Golf 1.4 TSI failed to pass the emissions test in Korea, the head office in Germany ordered its Korea office to manipulate the ECU software.

In addition, the law firm has decided to file a criminal lawsuit against those responsible in Volkswagen for allegedly deceiving consumers on behalf of consumers. On top of this, it would file a petition to the Environment Ministry, urging the government to suspend the ongoing recall process with Audi Volkswagen Korea and order a replacement order on the vehicles.

신수정기자 crystal@donga.com