South Korea's Environment Ministry says it will re-test Volkswagen and Audi’s diesel vehicle fuel-efficiency claims following the test-rigging scandal in the US.

Imported cars, particularly German brands, have gained significant market share in the market in recent years following the removal of import tariffs in 2011 and a fall in nationalism in the marketplace.

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Close to 159,000 imported vehicles were sold in South Korea in the first eight months of 2015. German passenger vehicles accounted for slightly more than 107,000 of these, including almost 45,000 Volkswagen and Audi models.

The Ministry is expected to initially investigate emission standards of up to 5,000 Volkswagen and Audi diesel cars sold in 2014 and 2015.

This could be expanded to all German cars if discrepancies are found.

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