Whistleblower sparks recall of 240,000 cars in S.Korea

Seoul, May 12 (IANS) The South Korean government on Friday ordered car makers Hyundai and Kia Motors to recall about 240,000 cars, after a tip off from a whistleblower, the media reported.

It is the first time the country's government has issued a compulsory vehicle recall, reports the BBC.

Initially, Hyundai and Kia had refused to accept the forced recall but later announced they would comply.

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport has ordered the recall across 12 models, including Hyundai Motor's luxury Gensis and Equus sedans and best-selling Avante compact sedans due to faulty auto parts and manufacturing defects, The Korea Herald reported.

The move by the ministry came after a former Hyundai employee raised concerns about defects which affected 12 different car models.

The planned recalls will add to the 1.5 million cars which Hyundai and Kia offered to fix last month in South Korea and the US over possible engine stalling.

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