Korea to require stricter auto safety standards

The government plans to require carmakers to install additional safety features on all vehicles to help prevent traffic accidents, officials said yesterday.

Under a revision to the law on vehicle safety, all new passenger cars, along with any commercial vehicle weighing less than 3.5 tons, will have to have an anti-lock braking system and brake assist system from May, according to the Ministry of Land, Transport and Maritime Affairs.

Currently, only commercial vehicles that weigh more than 3.5 tons are required to have anti-lock brakes. The amendment will soon be submitted to parliament for approval.

“The revision aims to cut traffic accidents and boost safety of vehicles as the country will soon have more than 20 million cars,” the ministry said. “It will also help improve the quality and competitiveness of the automobile industry.”

Yonhap