In this file photo dated May 30, 2023, new Hyundai cars are displayed on the sales lot at San Leandro Hyundai in San Leandro, California. (PHOTO / AFP)

SEOUL - Ten automakers in South Korea were fined for selling cars with subpar safety standard, the transport ministry here said Wednesday.

A total of 10.26 billion won ($7.7 million) in fines was imposed on the country's biggest carmaker Hyundai Motor and nine foreign companies, according to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport.

The foreign carmakers include Volkswagen Group Korea, Mercedes-Benz Korea, Ford Sales and Service Korea, Porsche Korea, GM Korea, BMW Korea, Honda Korea, Toyota Motor Korea, and Nissan Korea.

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In this file photo dated Jan 15, 2020, a boy looks up at the logo of Toyota Motor Corp at its gallery in Tokyo. (PHOTO / AP)

The fines were based on corrective measures against inappropriate safety standard between January and June 2023.

Volkswagen Group Korea was subject to the biggest fine of 3.5 billion won, followed by Mercedes-Benz Korea with 2.5 billion won.

A separate fine of 39 million won was levied on five carmakers, including Stellantis Korea, Mercedes-Benz Korea, Volkswagen Group Korea, Ford Sales and Service Korea and Kia Corp, for selling vehicles without repairing defective parts.

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Three companies, including Porsche Korea, Stellantis Korea and Kia Corp, were each subject to a fine of 59 million won for not informing buyers of the fixed faulty parts.