Mokpo City has announced that it will impose the 2026 second installment of the environmental improvement fee on diesel vehicles manufactured before June 30, 2012, and urges residents to make payments by the 30th.
The environmental improvement fee is a system designed to hold polluters accountable for the costs associated with pollution treatment and environmental enhancement, assessed twice a year in March and September.
The fee for this installment is calculated based on the vehicle ownership period from January 1 to June 30 of this year.
If ownership changes occur during this period, such as through sale or scrapping, the fee will be prorated based on the actual ownership duration.
Notably, the environmental improvement fee operates on a post-payment basis, meaning that even if a vehicle has been sold or scrapped, additional fees may still be charged for the previous ownership period. Residents who receive a notice should be aware of this possibility.
Wi Jun-cheol, head of the Climate and Environment Division in Mokpo City, stated, “There may be instances where individuals believe the environmental improvement fee has been incorrectly assessed after selling or scrapping their vehicle. It is important to first verify the actual assessment period indicated on the notice, as the fee is charged post-payment.”
There are various payment methods available, including visits to financial institutions, post offices, and agricultural cooperatives, as well as virtual account transfers, ARS (1422-11), internet Giro, WeTax, and credit card payments.
A 3% penalty will be applied for late payments, and failure to pay by the end of the reminder period may result in property seizure and other penalties.
Wi emphasized, “The environmental improvement fee is utilized to reduce environmental pollution and create a pleasant living environment. I urge citizens to check the assessment period and payment deadline on their notices to avoid unnecessary penalties.”
Additionally, the environmental improvement fee is calculated based on factors such as vehicle engine displacement, model year, and location. For newly registered or deregistered vehicles, the fee is prorated based on the actual registration period. Mokpo City provides detailed information regarding the assessment criteria and payment methods through the Climate and Environment Division's Environmental Policy Team.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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