The steel industry of South Korea is facing its most severe challenge in these years. Analyst warns that the country's steel industry now faces a triple blow of structural stagnation, tariff burden, and weak demand in the construction industry. 

Data show that from January to November of 2025, South Korea's crude steel totalled 56.1 million tons, decreased by 3.7% compared with the previous year. If such a downtrend goes on in 2025, the total crude steel output in 2025 could be only 61 million tons, reaching the lowest level since 2010. 

Industry participants generally believe that without the government's help, the country's steel sector may continue struggling in structural stagnation.