April 25, 2024

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[THE INVESTOR] Korean officials have defended the country's solar cell makers against a possible safeguard action by the US during a public hearing, the foreign ministry said Oct. 5.

A team of government officials from the foreign and trade ministries in charge of import regulations in overseas markets participated in the hearing in Washington on Oct. 3, according to the ministry.

The hearing is part of a safeguard investigation by the US International Trade Commission into crystalline silicon photovoltaic cells imported from foreign countries, including Korea.

A safeguard action is taken to protect a domestic industry from a sudden jump in imports causing or threatening damage to domestic production.

They demanded the ITC not take a safeguard action, and argued that such a step could dampen the whole related industry and have side effects, such as causing people to lose jobs.

They also called for the trade commission to exclude Korean companies that sell products US firms do not produce from any such action.

The hearing was also attended by the US Solar Energy Industries Association that joined the Korean officials in opposing an action that would hurt the industry.

The hearing is the second of its kind following one held Aug. 15.

By Park Han-na and news wire (hnpark@heraldcorp.com)