South Korea escalates enforcement against illegal vehicle smuggling to Russia. Customs authorities discovered illegal car exports surged over five-fold to $100.78 million last year, with traders using deceptive tactics including misreporting destinations through China, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan as final stops. Smugglers also disguised new vehicles as used cars to evade detection. Many exported vehicles are premium German brands. Seoul's 2024 restrictions require permits for engines exceeding 2.0 liters, with violators facing up to seven years imprisonment or fines worth five times the goods' value. This crackdown reflects broader efforts to enforce sanctions against Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
