SEOUL: South Korea said on Thursday it fined Volkswagen $12.3 million and ordered recalls of 125,522 diesel vehicles after the government found their emissions tests were rigged. Hong Dong Gon, a director at the Ministry of Environment, said in a live television broadcast that the ministry will continue investigating 30,000 other Volkswagen diesel cars for which it did not find evidence of emissions cheating. South Korea’s government launched investigations last month after the German automaker admitted that it rigged US tests so it would appear that its diesel-powered cars were emitting fewer nitrogen oxides, which can contribute to ozone buildup and respiratory illness. The global scope of the scandal has put Volkswagen under intense financial pressure. The automaker said last week it will cut spending by one billion euros next year.