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Prosecutors Raid Seoul Volkswagen Office

FILE - The Volkswagen logo on the hood of a 2012 Beetle at a Volkswagen dealership. Investigators seized computer hard drives and documents from VW's headquarters in Seoul and from the home of at least one senior manager.

Katherine Gypson, Fern Robinson

Last updated on: February 19, 2016 12:08 PM

South Korean prosecutors raided the Seoul local offices of Volkswagen Friday as part of their investigation into an emissions-rigging scandal.

South Korean investigators seized computer hard drives and documents from VW's office in Seoul and from the home of at least one senior manager.

A VW spokesman told the French News Agency, "We have made clear that we will fully cooperate with the investigation."

The raid came after South Korea's Ministry of Environment filed complaints against two top Volkswagen and Audi officials.

The auto company is facing legal actions after it admitted in September to falsifying emission test results on some of its diesel-engine vehicles in the U.S. Other countries later began their own investigations.

Market analyst Alastair McCaig of the London-based IG online trading company said VW's brand would be "tarnished" by the scandal for some time, adding "it's only going to take time and effort and good will to see that rectified."

Also Friday, German media reported that Volkswagen managers do not expect an agreement with U.S. authorities on the scandal before the end of March.

Katherine Gypson

Katherine Gypson is a reporter for VOA’s News Center in Washington, D.C. Prior to joining VOA in 2013, Katherine produced documentary and public affairs programming in Afghanistan, Tunisia and Turkey. She also produced and co-wrote a 12-episode road-trip series for Pakistani television exploring the United States during the 2012 presidential election. She holds a Master’s degree in Journalism from American University. Follow her @kgyp

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