South korea: South Korea's trade watchdog announced plans to recommend the finance ministry impose antidumping duties on imports of solid sodium hydroxide from China and Taiwan, citing harm to the domestic industry.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the Korea Trade Commission (KTC) will advise antidumping duties ranging from 3.66 percent to 22.21 percent on three Chinese exporters and a 38.89 percent duty on one Taiwanese exporter. The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources emphasized the significance of solid sodium hydroxide, also known as caustic soda, as it is a critical material in various industrial applications.

In a separate development, the commission has initiated an investigation into claims of Chinese producers dumping flat photographic plates for printing and platemaking in the South Korean market. The commission anticipates reaching a final decision on this investigation in October.