17 Gyeonggi provincial cities to ban old diesel cars

By Jhoo Dong-chan

Old diesel cars will not be allowed to enter 17 cities in Gyeonggi Province next year, the local government said Friday.

The 17 cities are: Suwon, Ansan, Gunpo, Uiwang, Gwacheon, Anyang, Gwangmyeong, Siheung, Bucheon, Seongnam, Hanam, Namyangju, Guri, Uijeongbu, Yangju, Goyang and Gimpo.

The decision follows an agreement between Gyeonggi Province, Seoul and Incheon Metropolitan Government from August last year.

The Seoul government implemented it this year.

And Incheon and Gyeonggi Province will prohibit the entrance of old diesel vehicles into their areas next year.

Under the decision, the 17 cities will have a guidance period for six months and then crack down on old diesel vehicle drivers starting July 1.

Over 12-year-old diesel vehicles weighing more than 2.5 tons that fail to pass emissions test are subject to the new regulation. The fine will be 200,000 won ($187).

In 2020, another 11 cities in Gyeonggi Province, including Yongin and Gwangju, will join the move, the local government added.

In a bid to enhance the crackdown, the local government said it will add surveillance cameras in 51 areas in the 17 cities by June.

About 483,900 old diesel vehicles are registered in Gyeonggi Province. Of them, 405,200 cars have yet to install emissions reduction devices.