SEOUL • When South Korean girl group Momoland shot to the top of a national sales chart, a probe to get to the bottom of the matter was started over suspicion that their record label had given them an unfair push.

Talk had it that the company had spent money to buy records to artificially inflate their chart position.

Buoyed by robust sales, Momoland managed to notch their first No. 1 spot on a music programme operated by a major broadcaster - KBS' Music Bank.

On Monday, Momoland were cleared of chart-rigging accusations, The Korea Herald reported.

Their agency, MLD Entertainment, said a probe by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism had cleared them of any wrongdoing.

"We are glad that the misunderstanding is no more. We thank everyone who trusted and supported us," MLD said. "We vow to try our best for the development of K-pop."

Buying or having related personnel purchase copies of a certain musical record to manipulate sales numbers is punishable by law in the country.

The news is a relief for Momoland who were set to roll out their fourth EP, Fun To The World, yesterday.