The ongoing eurozone sovereign debt crisis is expected to be the main source of concern for South Korea’s financial sector in 2012, a poll said Monday.

The survey of 250 financial firms by the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry showed 81.6 percent of the respondents saying that debt problems facing many European countries could affect the industry as a whole.

“The eurozone issue will remain the single largest risk factor,” the KCCI said. “Since it is not likely to be resolved in a short period of time, it can pose challenges for the country‘s financial sector that is vulnerable to shocks overseas.”

The latest survey, which highlighted seven major issues that may impact the financial sector this year, also cited the household and public sector debt as the second-largest threat to the domestic financial sector, followed by the sudden death of North Korean leader Kim Jong-il.

Of firms surveyed, 64.4 percent and 54.4 percent, respectively, said mounting debt and the North Korean leader’s death could pose problems in 2012.

The findings also showed local financial firms additionally citing as sources of concern the general and presidential elections slated for this year, and sluggishness of the country‘s real estate market.

The poll, meanwhile, said the free trade agreement with the United States that will go into effect this year, and political uncertainties in foreign countries may affect the overall financial market in the coming months and require close monitoring. (Yonhap News)