▲ Vehicles distributed to foreign nationals
The Gyeongnam Provincial Police Agency announced on June 17 that it has arrested a used car dealer in his 50s, identified as A, on charges of violating the Motor Vehicle Management Act by distributing 268 used cars to foreign nationals as "Daepo cars"—vehicles that are not registered under the actual user's name.
A is accused of selling 268 used cars to foreign residents between July 2020 and February of this year while keeping the vehicles registered under his dealership's name.
The police launched an investigation after discovering that a vehicle involved in a hit-and-run accident, driven by a foreign national, was still registered to a used car dealership.
Following a search and seizure operation at A's residence and other locations, police confirmed that the whereabouts of most of the vehicles registered to the dealership were unknown. They also discovered hundreds of unpaid fine notices issued to these illegal vehicles.
Furthermore, evidence was found suggesting that A had repossessed vehicles that had been abandoned by the foreign buyers and operated them himself.
Investigations revealed that out of the 268 Daepo cars sold to foreign residents, 243 were caught by automated traffic enforcement cameras 1,543 times across the country for offenses such as speeding.
The total amount of unpaid fines for these vehicles reached approximately 66 million won across 1,056 cases.
Forensic analysis of A's mobile phone and laptop led police to believe that A's Thai spouse introduced Thai buyers to him, after which A would arrange for the vehicles to be delivered to various locations nationwide.
Police apprehended A on April 1 and, following further investigation, obtained an arrest warrant yesterday.
Authorities have also taken measures to seize the license plates of some vehicles with outstanding fines.
For the identified Daepo cars, police are working with local governments to issue suspension orders, carry out forced towing, and initiate public auction procedures.
A police official stated, "Daepo cars are often operated without mandatory insurance and pose a high risk of being used as a means of transport for secondary crimes, such as hit-and-runs or drug trafficking," adding, "We urge both citizens and foreign residents in Korea to only use vehicles that have gone through proper ownership transfer procedures."
(Photo: Provided by Gyeongnam Provincial Police Agency, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.