From a Consumer Times report dated January 30, 2018.
"According to the Korea Consumer Agency on the 30th, the Consumer Dispute Settlement Commission decided that Honda Korea must compensate the affected owners 5% of the acquisition price (excluding VAT), and sent out the settlement decision on the 24th. Five percent of the acquisition price amounts to roughly KRW 1.65 million to KRW 1.95 million.
Law Firm Changchun, which represents the affected owners in the collective dispute settlement, said: "Among comparable cases to date, this is the first decision ordering cash compensation on top of rustproofing work, which suggests the corrosion and rust were assessed as more severe than in earlier cases."
In its decision the Commission said: "It is difficult to regard the rust that developed on the vehicles as a serious defect bearing on driving or safety, so an obligation to refund the purchase price cannot be recognized." It went on: "But taking into account the discount promotions Honda Korea's dealers ran after the rust problem emerged, and the fact that the rust may affect the vehicles' used-car values, it is difficult to say that Honda Korea's proposal alone made the owners whole, and we judged that additional monetary compensation to the applicants is necessary."
A Honda Korea representative said: "The matter is still being verified internally, so it is difficult for us to state an official position."
A Commission settlement becomes final and enforceable if no objection is raised within 15 days of the decision being delivered."