Prosecutors have raided the main office of South Korea's largest automakers, Hyundai Motor and Kia Motors, as part of a probe into allegations raised by a civic group and transport ministry that they attempted to conceal defects in some of their models.
Hyundai and Kia are also being investigated in the U.S. over a wide-scale recall.
Kim Hyo-sun tells us more.

The headquarters of Hyundai Motor and its affiliate Kia Motors was raided by the nation's prosecution on Wednesday.
The search into the company's quality division at the main office located in southern Seoul comes as part of a probe into allegations that the automakers tried to cover up defects in some of their models.
The prosecution explained they are looking into allegations raised by the transport ministry and local civic groups that Hyundai and Kia have violated recall regulations, by delaying the fixing of engine defects.
In May 2017, the ministry ordered the recall of some 240-thousand vehicles,... saying defects were found in a dozen of their models.

"We've requested an investigation by the prosecution as there was no clear evidence that the automaker did not conceal the defects, and to warn the industry, which is passive when it comes to voluntary recalls."

A South Korean civic group also filed a complaint with the prosecution alleging the automakers were hiding engine defects that they've known about for years.

"The automakers denied the defects, but hastily submitted recall plans as the investigation by the transport ministry became imminent."

Hyundai Motor and Kia Motors are also being investigated by the U.S. safety regulators and prosecutors over the recall of nearly 1-point-7 million vehicles in relation to engine defects.
Kim Hyo-sun, Arirang News.