[THE INVESTOR] Environment Minister nominee Cho Kyeung-kyu on Aug. 26 hinted that he could consider a replacement order of Volkswagen and Audi vehicles if the planned recalls are further delayed.

During the parliamentary confirmation hearing, Cho said Volkswagen’s manipulation is a “serious crime that cannot be tolerated,” and that he is considering taking measures against the Korean unit that are stricter than the recall order.

In an effort to curb another Volkswagen scandal, he also vowed to strictly manage the organizations under the ministry, including the National Institute of Environmental Research that is responsible for the authentication process of exported cars. 

“If I am appointed minister, I will press Volkswagen to set a deadline to recall its vehicles as soon as possible,” he said on the report submitted to the National Assembly’s Environment and Labor Committee on Aug. 25, prior to the confirmation hearing the next day. “If the recall is delayed, I will consider examining the law to order replacement of the vehicles.”

At the hearing, lawmakers grilled the nominee -- a finance expert -- mainly over his ability to handle serious environmental issues that have been in the spotlight, including the VW scandal, toxic humidifier disinfectant case and fine dust countermeasures. On Aug. 16, Cho was nominated to be the new environment minister to replace previous environment minister Yoon Seong-kyu.

Earlier, the Ministry of Environment revoked the certification of 80 models of Audi, Volkswagen and Bentley vehicles for cheating on emissions and noise level tests. The ministry also banned them from being sold here and issued a hefty fine of 17.8 billion won (US$15.97 million).

Audi Volkswagen Korea has submitted a recall plan for its affected vehicles, but authorities rejected the plan, saying the automaker did not admit to using a defeat device in its vehicles to cheat on emissions tests.

By Ahn Sung-mi (sahn@heraldcorp.com)