South Korea suspends sales of 32 VW Group models in emissions probe

South Korea on Tuesday suspended sales of 32 Volkswagen Group models and fined the German automaker 16.06 million USD, accusing it of forging documents on emissions or noise-level tests. "As a result of the last week's hearing, we've decided to revoke the certification of 32 types and 80 models as of today. The sale of new cars will be suspended once the decision for the nullification of certification is made," said Hong Dong-gon, Director of the Environmental Transportation Division at the Environment Ministry, at a briefing in Sejong city. The move by Asia's fourth-biggest economy puts more pressure on Volkswagen as it struggles to repair its reputation after it admitted in September to using illegal software to hide toxic emissions on about 11 million diesel vehicles worldwide. Europe's largest automaker more than tripled sales in South Korea to 35,778 last year, before suffering a slump following the emissions scandal.