Automobile recalls in South Korea spiked in 2010 because of tighter safety-related regulatory control and monitoring, a government report showed Monday.

   According to the report by the Ministry of Land, Transport and Maritime Affairs, 270,000 vehicles of 87 locally made and imported models were recalled last year, up 110,000 units from a year earlier.

   The total number of vehicle models recalled also rose by six compared to the year before. Of all cars recalled, 15 were locally made vehicle models with 72 being imports.

   The number of domestically produced cars that required modifications for mechanical problems reached 226,000 units, a significant increase from 146,000 units that needed repairs in 2009.

   The number of recalled imported cars also rose to a record high of 44,000 units vis-a-vis 12,000 cars that were ordered back for corrective maintenance in the previous year.

   The ministry said the increase reflects greater attention paid by both the government and carmakers following serious safety issues raised by Toyota-made cars in the United States.

(Yonhap News)