South Korea’s trade commission said Monday that it has decided to launch an official investigation into the alleged dumping of a steel product imported from China that has been cited for disrupting fair competition.

The decision follows a formal complaint from four South Korean manufacturers, according to the Korea Trade Commission (KTC).

“The petitioners claim there has been actual damage to the local industry, such as a drop in domestic sales of products made here, due to unfair undercutting of prices by Chinese galvanized low carbon steel wire,” the Korea Trade Commission said in a press release.

Galvanized low carbon steel wire is used for barbed wire fences and metal staples, with the China-made products accounting for 80 percent of the South Korean market worth 100 billion won last year.

The investigation may last up to 10 months, including five months for a preliminary probe, upon which the KTC will decide whether to impose anti-dumping duties, the commission said.

Source: Yonhap