On October 31, 2025, the South Korean Ministry of Strategy and Finance announced a legislative notice to impose an anti-dumping (AD) duty of 34.1% on hot-rolled plate products from China for five years. The measure is a government response to confirmed findings of substantial damage to the domestic steel industry from the import of low-priced Chinese steel.

The products involved are hot-rolled thick plate products of carbon steel and other alloy steel, not in coil shape and not cold-rolled, with a thickness of 4.75 mm or more and a width of 600 mm or more, under HS codes 7208.51.1000, 7208.51.9000, 7208.52.1000, 7208.52.9000, 7225.40.9010, 7225.40.9091, and 7225.40.9099.

However, there are exceptions for some Chinese steelmakers who accepted price commitments, including Baoshan Iron & Steel Co., Ltd., Jiangsu Shagang Steel Co., Ltd., Hunan Valin Xiangtan Iron and Steel Co., Ltd., and so on.

In addition, specific high-thickness pressure vessel steel for industrial safety, including ASME SA516-70 with a thickness of 134 mm or more, ASME SA299-Grade B with a thickness of 50 mm or more, SA302-Grade B, and SA302-Grade C, and certain wear-resistant and high-strength steel plates, are excluded from the AD duty.

The public comment period for the draft rule runs until November 14, 2025. The government intends for this action to restore fair price order and stabilize the domestic steel market.