Korea trade commission sets 17 December hearing on Chinese steel bar imports

Korea’s 무역위원회 (Trade Commission) will hold a public hearing on 17 December into injury to the domestic industry caused by Chinese steel bar (봉강) imports, with interested parties given until 12 November to apply to take part. The call is published in 관보 제21350호 of 29 October 2026 as 무역위원회공고 제2026-18호, signed by the commission’s chairman. The session runs from 14:00 to 16:00 in room 555 of Building 13-1 of the 산업통상부 at 정부세종청사, 402 Hannuri-daero, Sejong.

The notice, headed “중국산 봉강의 국내산업피해조사 공청회 개최” and set out in eight numbered items, is the public stage of the commission’s domestic-industry injury investigation into Chinese steel bars. Its findings are the factual basis on which anti-dumping duties on the product would later be decided, which places steel producers, importers, end users and Chinese exporters on the same witness list. The commission cautioned that the time and venue may change, with any change to be posted on its website.

Who may appear

The commission lists the following as participants:

• Representatives and agents of domestic producers, domestic importers, domestic users and foreign exporters.
• Representatives of related trade associations and organisations.
• Officials of the relevant government ministries.
• Officials of the exporting country’s government.

Registration and deadlines

Applications must reach the commission by 12 November 2026 (Thursday), attaching evidence that the applicant is an interested party, the outline of the statement to be given, and personal details, including those of any reference persons or witnesses. The commission warned that approval may be restricted depending on interested-party status and the number of places available.

Attendance in person, by the interested party or its representative, is the rule. A proxy may speak instead where necessary, but a power of attorney, the reason for the absence and the proxy’s personal details must be filed five days before the hearing.

Participants may file supplementary written material on points left incomplete at the hearing within seven days afterwards, under the same formal requirements.

Language, papers and access

Statements must be written in Korean, on A4 paper running vertically and no longer than ten pages, and submitted as word-processor and PDF files with supporting evidence attached. Where business secrets are involved, a public version must be filed separately from the confidential version.

Testimony must be given in Korean; foreign nationals appearing directly may speak through an interpreter, and any foreign-language material submitted must be accompanied by a Korean translation.

Materials filed with the commission may be inspected by interested parties only where they contain no business secrets, and only after a written request stating the reasons and the list of documents sought.

Filings and enquiries go to the 산업피해조사과 of the 무역위원회 at 7th floor, Bank Building, 350 Hannuri-daero, Sejong (postcode 30121); telephone (044) 203-5862; fax (044) 203-4815; e-mail shkhang@korea.kr.

What it means for the market

The December hearing is the point at which steelmakers, distributors and construction-supply buyers can put their evidence on the record before the commission frames its injury findings, and the 12 November cut-off leaves barely two weeks for companies to prepare statements, translations and supporting documents. Parties that do not register risk being left out of the process, since the notice makes registration the condition for being heard.

Source: 관보 (Republic of Korea Official Gazette), No. 21350, 29 October 2026, 공고 (notices), p. 498 (official reference: 무역위원회공고 제2026-18호).