Washington, D.C. – In an urgent plea to the U.S. government, Pohang Mayor Lee Kang-deok staged a protest outside the White House on Tuesday, September 2, 2025, calling for a reduction in what he called "murderous" tariffs on South Korean steel.
Pohang, located in the Gyeongsangbuk-do province, is the heart of South Korea's steel industry, with steel and metal processing accounting for more than 70% of the city’s manufacturing value. However, the city's economic foundation is now at risk due to a combination of factors, including the influx of low-cost Chinese steel, a long-term slump in the construction industry, and a 50% U.S. tariff on steel imports.
Mayor Lee and a delegation from Pohang held banners that read, "PLEASE STOP IMPOSING STEEL TARIFFS ON YOUR ALLY REPUBLIC OF KOREA." He argued that the current tariffs are unjustifiable given the close alliance between the two nations. "The Korean steel industry is a core industry directly linked to national security," Mayor Lee stated, "and a 50% tariff on an ally cannot be justified."
The mayor's demonstration highlighted the severe economic hardship faced by major steel companies in the region. According to city data, corporate local income tax revenue from four of Pohang’s largest steel companies—POSCO, Hyundai Steel, Dongkuk Steel, and SeAH Steel—plummeted from 96.7 billion KRW in 2022 to just 15.4 billion KRW in 2024.
As a result of the industry downturn, major producers have begun to scale back operations. In June, Hyundai Steel temporarily shut down its Pohang No. 2 plant, leading to layoffs and employee transfers. POSCO also closed two of its plants in late 2024. Additionally, Kostil, a company that produces wire rods and rebar, has halted operations at its Pohang plant and is seeking to sell its facilities.
Acknowledging the crisis, the South Korean government recently designated Pohang as a "preemptive industrial crisis response region." However, Mayor Lee warned that this measure alone would not be enough to resolve the complex challenges facing the city.
In addition to the protest at the White House, the Pohang delegation plans to submit an official request to the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA) in Washington and hold another picket demonstration with the Virginia Korean American Association in front of the U.S. Capitol.
Mayor Lee urged the U.S. to reconsider its stance and either lower the tariff to a more manageable level, such as the 25% applied to the UK, or apply limited quota exceptions to South Korean steel.
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