S Korea to fine VW 37.3b won, pursue execs over emissions ads

Seoul

SOUTH Korea said it will file criminal complaints against five former and current executives at Volkswagen AG's South Korean unit and fine the company a record 37.3 billion won (S$45.49 million) for false advertising on vehicle emissions.

The fine, a record for false advertising in the Asian country, indicates that South Korean authorities are in no mood to soften their tough line on the German carmaker's emissions-test cheating, having already suspended most of its sales in the country since August.