South Korea Offers Incentives for Ditching Diesel Cars

South Korea is subsidizing drivers who replace older diesel vehicles with new cars, offering more than $1,000 in tax cuts for some consumers in a bid to help the country improve air quality.

The government will discount the consumption tax on a new vehicle by 70 percent, worth up to 1 million won ($855) per car, for a driver who is replacing a diesel vehicle registered in 2006 or earlier, the Ministry of Strategy and Finance said Dec. 5. Other incentives on the new car purchase could push total tax savings up to 1.43 million won ($1,221) per person.

The ...