Case darkens growth prospects

The ongoing political scandal has the potential to severely impact growth and investment in the Republic of Korea at a time when the country readies for the 19th presidential election in December.

The so-called "Choi Soon-sil gate", a scandal involving President Park Geun-hye, is adding to the growing fears of a serious crisis in the country's economy, with the scandal shaking the sentiments of foreign investors.

It is viewed to be impacting not only the financial market but also the real economy that is already trapped in protracted sluggish growth, casting a gloom on the overall economic outlook for next year.