Korea, Japan Stainless Steel Bar Anti-Dumping Dispute Appeals to WTO

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Son Sun-hee] The South Korean government has appealed the first-instance ruling by the World Trade Organization (WTO) regarding Japanese stainless steel bars (SSB).

On the 25th (local time), Dacio Castillo, Chair of the WTO Dispute Settlement Body (DSB), reportedly announced that South Korea has filed an appeal concerning the trade dispute over Japanese SSB.

Since 2004, South Korea has imposed anti-dumping duties on imported SSB from Japan, India, Spain, and other countries. Japan filed a complaint with the WTO in 2018, arguing that these measures violate WTO agreements.

In the WTO dispute resolution process, the panel acting as the first-instance adjudicator circulated a report in November last year stating that some of South Korea's anti-dumping measures on Japanese SSB violated the WTO Anti-Dumping Agreement. Out of five substantive issues, the panel ruled in favor of Japan on three.

In response, the South Korean government expressed its intention to appeal immediately after the panel ruling, citing legal errors.

However, since the WTO Appellate Body, which serves as the final adjudicator, is currently suspended due to a shortage of members, it is expected to take some time before a final ruling is issued. Until the final decision is made, the existing anti-dumping measures will remain in effect.