In South Korea detained dozens of owners of electric Tesla

In Seoul, police arrested 80 Tesla owners. They are suspected of having activated Full Self-Driving (FSD) mode without permission. They could face up to 2 years in prison for software interference.

In South Korea, FSD is allowed only on Tesla cars assembled in the United States – Model S, Model X and Cybertruck. These vehicles are not locally certified because of a free trade agreement that recognizes American safety standards. Model 3 and Model Y of the Chinese assembly did not pass such a test. Their owners turned on FSDs themselves, using homemade devices or units brought in from Europe and China. Such blocks were connected directly or soldered into the electronics of the machine.

The detainees are accused of violating the law on transport management. In addition to changing the software, they posted online tips on how to unlock the function and hide its activation. Unauthorized installation, modification or removal of software that affects security is considered a violation. The punishment provides for up to 2 years of imprisonment and a fine of up to 20 million won, which is about 1.2 million rubles.

An arrest in South Korea does not constitute a conviction. Suspects remain innocent until proven guilty. The investigation is coordinated by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and the police of the capital.

FSD allows the car to self-adjust and drive without driver control. However, Korean rules require you to keep your hands on the steering wheel and manually turn on the turn signals. The system is not fully autonomous and needs driver control. Some Tesla owners are unhappy with the restrictions. Recently, a court in Seoul rejected the claim of the owners, who demanded the return of money for the inability to use FSD. A separate class-action lawsuit in the U.S. appeals court also blocked.

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