Currently, the Rules on Motor Vehicle and Automotive Parts Performance and Requirements (Ordinance No. 700 of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport) require the mandatory installation of fire extinguishers in passenger vehicles, light motor vehicles for passengers and freight, light motor vehicles for passengers and freight, freight motor vehicles, and high-pressure gas transport vehicles manufactured to transport 7 or more persons.

According to the “Recommendations to Strengthen Safety Management against Vehicle Fire” published by the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission, 14,487 (47.1%) out of 30,784 vehicle fires from 2012 to July 2018 occurred in vehicles manufactured to transport 5 persons, which are not included in the mandatory installation of fire extinguishers, making it necessary to expand such mandatory installation to include a wider range of vehicles.

In this regard, this Act aims to establish a safe vehicle use environment from any fire by explicitly specifying in law that car manufacturers and sellers are required to install vehicle fire extinguishers in different types of vehicles including passenger vehicles manufactured to transport 5 or more persons, and they are subject to up to 3 years in prison or 30 million won in fines if they violate the foregoing (Article 29-4 and Article 79, subparagraph 4-2 newly inserted).

Install vehicle fire extinguishers (Article 29-4)