Six Jogye leaders have quit over the scandal, which erupted just days before Koreans observe a national holiday celebrating the birth of Buddha, the holiest day in the Buddhist calendar.

The Seoul-based company – which is also the world’s biggest TV and flat screen manufacturer – also reported its highest quarterly profits since 2008, with net profit almost doubling to 5.05 trillion won ($4.5 billion) for the three months to March 31.

North Korea has regularly threatened to attack South Korea’s ruling establishment, but its has grown more bellicose and specific in recent days following a failed attempt to launch a rocket on April 13 to commemorate the centenary of the nation’s founding father Kim Il-sung. 

Japan’s foreign ministry said the agreement – which has been discussed for almost a decade and under negotiation since 2007 – would “add momentum” to work towards a trade deal.