Ministry of Trade Industry and Resources

Korea Trade Commission Recommends Price Undertakings for Chinese Hot-rolled Steel Plates

The Korea Trade Commission (KTC) under the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE, Minister JK Kim) held its 463rd meeting on Thursday, August 28, 2025, to deliberate on and resolve one anti-dumping investigation and four intellectual property (IP) infringement investigations related to exports and imports. The KTC also received a report on the initiation of a new anti-dumping investigation. The anti-dumping investigation under review was launched in October 2024 into imports of Chinese hot-rolled carbon and alloy steel plates. The KTC determined that dumping had occurred and that the dumped imports caused material injury to the domestic industry. The KTC set final anti-dumping duties at 27.91 to 34.10 percent for a five-year period and recommended that the Minister of Economy and Finance accept price undertakings proposed by nine Chinese exporters. Like anti-dumping duties, price undertakings are trade remedies designed to address injury to domestic industries. Under an undertaking, exporters commit to a minimum export price and quarterly price adjustment mechanism. If an undertaking is violated, anti-dumping duties may be imposed. For Chinese exporters that did not participate in the undertakings, the KTC decided to recommend a five-year anti-dumping duty of 34.10 percent to the Minister of Economy and Finance. A provisional anti-dumping duty of 27.91 to 38.02 percent was in place for these products from April 24 to November 23, 2025. Of the four IP infringement investigations, three were found to constitute unfair trade practices, with the respondents determined to have infringed the applicants’ rights. These cases involved interlayer films for head-up displays (launched in September 2024), uninterruptible power supply systems (launched in October 2024), and fishing plier designs (launched in January 2025). The KTC issued corrective measures—such as orders to halt manufacturing and export of the infringing goods and to exclude them entry—and imposed administrative fines. Notably, the head-up display interlayer film and uninterruptible power supply cases involved patent disputes between foreign companies. The cases point to the KTC’s potential to emerge as a global forum for investigating and adjudicating cross-border IP disputes, as its proceedings gain recognition for speed and impartiality compared with litigation. Meanwhile, the investigation into infringement of standard essential patents for connected cars, launched in December 2024, was terminated after the parties concluded a licensing agreement. The investigation process helped clarify the issues in dispute, and the complainant subsequently withdrew its petition, leading to termination of the investigation. The KTC also received a report on the initiation of an anti-dumping investigation into polyvinyl chloride paste resin from Germany, France, Norway, and Sweden. The KTC will continue to systematically respond to the shifting global trade environment and address unfair trade practices, including dumping and IP infringement. date2025-09-01

Trade Minister Meets U.S. Trade Representative

Korea’s Minister for Trade Yeo Han-koo met with U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer on July 25 (local time) in Washington, D.C. to discuss ways to advance bilateral tariff negotiations. date2025-07-28

Minister Meets Chair of White House Energy Council

Korea’s Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Kim Jung-kwan met with White House National Energy Council Chair Doug Burgum on July 24 (local time) in Washington, D.C. to explore measures to deepen bilateral cooperation in the energy sector. date2025-07-28

Minister Meets U.S. Secretary of Commerce

Korea’s Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Kim Jung-kwan met with U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick on July 24 (local time) in Washington, D.C. to discuss progress in bilateral tariff negotiations and ways to enhance industrial cooperation. date2025-07-28

KTC Recommends Provisional Anti-Dumping Duties on Hot-Rolled Products from Japan and China

The Korea Trade Commission (KTC) under the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE, Minister Ahn Duk-geun) held its 462nd session today to review two anti-dumping cases and two patent infringement cases in international trade, and received a report on one newly initiated patent infringement investigation. The KTC examined ongoing anti-dumping investigations launched in March 2025 on hot-rolled carbon and alloy steel products from Japan and China, as well as single-mode optical fiber from China. In both cases, the KTC issued preliminary determinations finding dumping and material injury to the Korean industry. To prevent further harm while the investigations continue, the KTC decided to recommend that the Minister of Economy and Finance impose provisional anti-dumping duties of 28.16% to 33.57% on hot-rolled products from Japan and China, and 43.35% on single-mode optical fiber from China. In a patent-related trade case, the KTC revisited a complaint filed by Wyeth LLC concerning alleged infringement of its pneumococcal conjugate vaccine patent. The KTC had found infringement in February 2024, but a recent administrative court ruling overturned that decision. Accordingly, the KTC issued a new determination of non-infringement in line with the court’s ruling. The KTC also received a report on a new investigation launched on a complaint filed in June 2025 by Korean company Value Innovation Partners Co., Ltd. over alleged patent infringement involving connected electric vehicles. date2025-07-25

FICs and Research Institutions Partner for R&D and Technology Sharing

Director General for Investment Policy Ryu Peob-min attended a technology exchange today at the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) between 10 foreign-invested companies (FICs) and 15 domestic public research institutions, held with an aim to foster Korea’s innovation ecosystem by leveraging the R&D capabilities of global FICs. Director General Ryu stated that the ministry plans to launch joint programs involving public research institutions for the establishment of a global R&D center for FICs with leading technologies, while pushing to expand exclusive R&D initiatives for FICs to promote the active participation of global corporations.     date2025-07-15

FICs and Domestic Research Institutions Partner for R&D and Technology Sharing

Korea’s Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE, Minister Ahn Duk-geun) hosted a technology exchange at the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) in Seoul on July 15, 2025. The event brought together foreign-invested companies (FICs) and domestic public research institutions to foster Korea’s innovation ecosystem by leveraging the R&D capabilities of global FICs. of the exchange involved 10 FICs and 15 domestic research institutions and was first proposed by FICs during the Global Foreign Investment Company and Public Institution Roundtable in May 2025 as a way to build an R&D cooperation system through technology exchanges with leading researches at public institutions. At the event, participants took stock of technological progress in advanced industries, shared recent development trends, and explored future collaboration opportunities. MOTIE is pursuing supportive policies, such as expanding cash incentives for FIC-exclusive R&D projects and improving regulations, to attract investments in a major global business R&D center. The center would facilitate continued investment by FICs’ parent companies and the transfer of leading technologies currently unavailable in Korea.  At today’s exchange, FICs and public institutions shared technologies, held one-on-one consultations to identify potential joint projects, and discussed tangible cooperative measures. Director General for Investment Policy Ryu Peob-min stated that the ministry plans to launch joint programs involving public research institutions to support the establishment of a global R&D center for FICs with leading technologies, while expanding exclusive FIC-only R&D initiatives to promote the active participation of global corporations. date2025-07-15

Trade Minister meets U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan

Korea’s Minister for Trade Yeo Han-koo met U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) on July 8 (local time) in Washington D.C. and asked for support in facilitating a stable business environment for Korean firms investing in the U.S. date2025-07-09

Trade Minister attends conference hosted by National Association of Manufacturers

Korea's Minister for Trade Yeo Han-koo attended a conference hosted by the National Association of Manufacturers in Washington D.C. on July 8 (local time) to discuss mutually beneficial measures for Korea-U.S. manufacturing cooperation and exchanged views on Korea’s investment environment. date2025-07-09

Trade Minister meets U.S. Secretary of Commerce

Korea’s Minister for Trade Yeo Han-koo met U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick on July 7 (local time) in Washington D.C. to discuss Korea-U.S. manufacturing cooperation and other bilateral trade issues. date2025-07-08