South Korea suspends sale of 80 Volkswagen models

Volkswagen will be fined 17.8 billion Korean won (€14.3 million), in addition to a 14 billion won fine from last year, the ministry of environment said.

Europe's largest carmaker admitted last year that it had falsified emissions data in its diesel vehicles.

The firm has since suffered a global setback in sales and reputation.

The sales ban affects 32 types of cars but a total of 80 models, which include different size engines or trimmings of each type of car.

The measures, which affect Volkswagen, Audi and Bentley models, come as the result of an extensive probe into the company which saw Volkswagen offices in South Korea raided by investigators.

South Korea's environment ministry also reportedly revoked certification for an additional 83,000 cars, which brings the total number of de-certified cars to more than 200,000.

Since the scandal, the company has launched an internal inquiry and has begun recalling millions of cars worldwide. Volkswagen also set aside billions of dollars for fines and compensation costs.

According to the BBC, South Korea was an important market for Volkswagen, especially for the firm's luxury brands Bentley and Audi, and the company had more than tripled its sales before it was hit by a slump in the wake of the emissions scandal.