South Korea implements certification for pedal misapplication prevention devices

South Korea’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport has established new certification standards for pedal misapplication prevention devices, effective August 27. These tuning parts are designed to prevent sudden acceleration accidents caused by drivers mistakenly pressing the accelerator instead of the brake.

Under the new regulations, the device must detect misapplication when a vehicle is stationary or traveling below 30 km/h and automatically reduce speed by at least 30%. The system must also include visual and auditory alerts to immediately notify the driver of the error. Manufacturers must pass performance tests conducted by the Korea Transportation Safety Authority to obtain certification.

Consumers can purchase certified products and have them installed at authorized repair shops. Installing uncertified devices is considered illegal tuning under the Motor Vehicle Management Act. While the government plans to mandate these devices in all new vehicles starting in 2029, this new certification framework aims to expand the availability of the technology for existing vehicles to prevent major traffic accidents.