The local unit of German carmaker Volkswagen in South Korea has estimated the cost for fixing its emission-faked vehicles at 8 billion won ($6.7 million) in its recently submitted recall plan, industry sources said Friday.

It also seeks to recall around 125,000 vehicles during the first half of this year "after getting approval from authorities here," a precondition that could delay the overall process, they added.

On Wednesday, Volkswagen Korea submitted its recall plan to the environment ministry, which subsequently launched its review to see if it proves to be true.

In November, Volkswagen was ordered by the ministry to recall 125,522 cars equipped with the defeat device designed to fake emissions results to pass regulations. It was also fined 14.1 billion won ($11.8 million) for the scandal.

Volkswagen was asked to submit its recall plan by Wednesday detailing how to remove the device and still maintain fuel efficiency and power of those cars.

"We are going to install a part called a rectifier for some and carry out a software update for others which will cost about 8 billion won," a source told the English division of Yonhap News Agency.

The 2.0 TDI engine models require a software update, but the

1.6 TDI engine-equipped vehicles should have the rectifier part installed in their engine control units.

The total cost estimate for the recall process is a "conservative" one as it did not count the expense related to the production and shipping of the needed part, which will be picked up by the Germany-based group, the source said.

Volkswagen also claimed in the plan that there will be no change or downgrade in fuel efficiency and power after the recall process is complete and hoped to start the recall during the first half of this year.

"We expressed our wish to start the recall action during the first half of this year but with a big precondition: after getting approval of the plan from authorities here," another source said.

"It is our hope to carry out the recall as soon as possible, but the schedule depends on how fast the environment ministry reviews and approves the plan that we have submitted," he added.

The environment ministry said that it will closely review the recall plan immediately, which is expected to take several months.

"Usually, it takes one or two months to complete our review of any recall plan, but in this case, we are going to take more time to get a closer look," a ministry official said on customary condition of anonymity. "But we will do our best to complete the process as soon as possible." (Yonhap)