Will not take legal action against S Korea's ban: Volkswagen

Seoul, Aug 29 (IANS) Volkswagen Korea on Monday said it would not take legal action against a decision by the South Korean government to ban sales and revoke the certificates of 80 of its models over the German carmaker's emissions cheating scandal.

The local unit of the German company said earlier this month that it was considering a legal challenge after the South Korean Environment Ministry revoked certificates of 80 models of Volkswagen, Audi and Bentley, and fined the automaker 17.8 billion (around $15 million) for allegedly forging documents on emissions or noise-level tests, EFE news reported.

However, the company on Monday reportedly said it would no longer pursue such an action.

"We reached a conclusion that we need to move towards re-certification and resolve the current situation," an official at Volkswagen Korea said.

The measures against Volkswagen in South Korea came after an extensive probe into the company, which included raids of its offices and the arrest of a company executive.

Environmental activists gathered on Monday in Seoul's Gwanghwamun Square to call on the government to take further action against Europe's largest carmaker.

Holding up cardboard models of Volkswagen Beetles and messages reading "Main culprit of fine dust is Volkswagen", the group demanded answers over the scandal.

--IANS

ss/ksk/dg