Korea Moves to Mandate Pedal Misapplication Prevention Systems in New Vehicles from 2029
On July 10, 2026, Korea’s Ministry of Land,
Infrastructure and Transport (MOLIT) announced an amendment to the Regulations
for Performance and Safety Standards of Motor Vehicles and Vehicle Parts (MOLIT
Ordinance No. 1602). Under the amended regulation, Pedal
Misapplication Accident Prevention Systems (PMAPS) will become mandatory
for passenger cars and for buses, trucks, and special-purpose vehicles with a
gross vehicle weight (GVW) of 3.5 metric tons or less.
Q1. What is a Pedal Misapplication Accident Prevention System (PMAPS)?
A Pedal Misapplication Accident Prevention
System (PMAPS) is a system that detects a driver's misapplication of the
accelerator pedal and prevents or controls unintended sudden acceleration.
Q2. Which vehicles are subject to the
mandatory requirement?
The following vehicles are covered by the requirement:
- Passenger cars
- Buses with a gross vehicle weight (GVW) of 3.5 metric tons or less
- Trucks with a gross vehicle weight (GVW) of 3.5 metric tons or less
- Special-purpose vehicles with a gross vehicle weight (GVW) of 3.5 metric tons or less
Q3. When does the mandate take effect?
Passenger cars
- Effective January 1, 2029
Buses, trucks, and special-purpose vehicles with a GVW of 3.5 metric tons or less
- Effective January 1, 2030
Q4. Does this requirement apply to
vehicles that are already on the market?
No.
The amendment does not apply retroactively
to vehicle types that are already on the market.
The requirement applies only to new vehicle
types that are manufactured, assembled, or imported on or after the applicable
effective date.
In other words, existing vehicle types are
not immediately subject to the requirement. The mandate will apply only to
newly developed vehicle types introduced on or after the relevant effective
date.
Q5. Should overseas vehicle
manufacturers prepare for this requirement?
Yes.
Overseas vehicle manufacturers exporting
vehicles to Korea should ensure that future vehicle models comply with this
requirement.
In particular, if Pedal Misapplication
Accident Prevention System (PMAPS) functionality is not considered during the
development of new vehicle models, it could affect the vehicle certification
schedule for the Korean market. Therefore, early regulatory review and planning
are strongly recommended.
GCA KOREA continuously monitors changes in Korea’s automotive regulations and provides regulatory consulting and certification support to vehicle manufacturers and automotive electrical and electronic component companies entering the Korean market.
If you have any questions regarding Korea’s
automotive regulations or certification requirements, please contact GCA KOREA.
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