Dongkuk CM, a subsidiary of Dongkuk Steel Group, plans to file an anti-dumping complaint against Chinese-origin color-coated and galvanized steel imports used in the construction sector. The move, in collaboration with Seah CM and KG Steel, aims to counter the surge of low-cost Chinese steel impacting the domestic market, according to local media reports.
The complaint targets construction-use galvanized and color-coated steel, commonly used in factories, warehouses (as sandwich panels), and building exteriors, including roofs, walls, and signboards.
South Korea’s domestic market for these products stood at approximately 2.8 mln tons last year. However, Chinese steel imports surged by 34.2pct, rising from 760,000 tons in 2022 to 1.02 mln tons in 2023. This influx has severely affected local manufacturers, with Dongkuk CM’s operating profit from galvanized steel plunging 84pct and color-coated steel profits falling 24pct. Beyond pricing concerns, the domestic steel industry is also raising alarms about the quality of Chinese-coated steel. Reports indicate that coating thickness, essential for corrosion and fire resistance, often fails to meet building code standards. While regulations require a minimum of 90g/m2, most Chinese color-coated steel in the market has a coating thickness of just 60g/m2.
