ACT ON THE INVESTIGATION OF UNFAIR INTERNATIONAL 
TRADE PRACTICES AND REMEDY AGAINST INJURY TO 
INDUSTRY 
 
Act No. 6417, Feb. 3, 2001  
Amended by Act No. 7093, Jan. 20, 2004  
Act No. 7796, Dec. 29, 2005  
Act No. 8852, Feb. 29, 2008  
Act No. 8933, Mar. 21, 2008  
Act No. 9155, Dec. 19, 2008  
Act No. 10230, Apr. 5, 2010  
CHAPTER I   GENERAL PROVISIONS  
Article 1 (Purpose)  
The purpose of this Act is to ensure the establishment of fair trade orders and the protection of domestic 
industries through determining the procedures for investigating and remedying the injury to domestic 
industries caused by unfair trade practices and increase in imports, etc., and to prescribe necessary matters 
to comply with international treaties on trade, including the Marrakesh Agreement Establishing the World 
Trade Organization.  
[This Article Wholly Amended by Act No. 8933, Mar. 21, 2008]  
Article 2 (Definitions)  
The terms used in this Act shall be defined as follows:  
1. The term "trade" means trade as provided for in subparagraph 1 of Article 2 of the Foreign Trade Act;  
2. The term "goods, etc." means goods, etc. as provided for in subparagraph 1 of Article 2 of the Foreign 
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Page 3Trade Act;  
3. The term "dumping" means dumping as provided for in Article 51 of the Customs Act;  
4. The term "subsidies, etc." means subsidy or financial support as provided for in Article 57 of the Customs 
Act. 
[This Article Wholly Amended by Act No. 8933, Mar. 21, 2008]  
Article 3 (Ensuring Fairness and Transparency, etc.)  
(1) Commissioners and public officials of the Korea Trade Commission under Article 27 (hereinafter referred to 
as the "Trade Commission") and the persons conducting investigation under Article 37 shall fairly and 
transparently carry out their duties of investigation and make judgment, etc. under this Act.  
(2) Detailed standards for performance of duties under paragraph (1) may be prescribed by Presidential Decree.  
[This Article Wholly Amended by Act No. 8933, Mar. 21, 2008] 
 
CHAPTER II  INVESTIGATIONS, ETC. OF UNFAIR INTERNATIONAL 
TRADE PRACTICES  
Article 4 (Prohibition of Unfair International Trade Practices)  
(1) No one shall engage in any of the following acts (hereinafter referred to as "unfair international trade 
practices"):  <Amended by Act No. 10230, Apr. 5, 2010>  
1. The following acts related to goods, etc. which violate patent rights, utility model rights, design rights, 
trademark rights, copyrights, neighboring copyrights, program copyrights, lay-out design rights of 
semiconductor integrated circuits, geographical indications or trade secrets protected by Acts and 
subordinate statutes of the Republic of Korea or treaties signed by the Republic of Korea as a party 
concerned (hereinafter referred to as "goods, etc. violating intellectual property rights"):  
(a) Supplying goods, etc. violating intellectual property rights into Korea from overseas, or importing goods, 
etc. violating intellectual property rights or selling such imported goods domestically;  
(b) Exporting goods, etc. violating intellectual property rights, or manufacturing such goods domestically 
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Page 4for export;  
2. Acts of exporting or importing the following goods, etc.:  
(a) Goods, etc. whose marks of origin are false or misleading;  
(b) Goods, etc. whose marks of origin are damaged or modified;  
(c) Goods which is subject to origin marking, but whose origin is not marked;  
3. Acts of exporting or importing goods, etc. whose quality is falsely or exaggeratedly stated;  
4. With respect to the implementation of export or import contracts, acts of disrupting import from or export 
to relevant areas by damaging Korea's international credibility, including export and import of goods, etc. 
which are profoundly differently from the details of contracts, and disputes arising therefrom.  
(2) The Trade Commission may determine and announce the kinds or standards of violations under paragraph 
(1) 1 and 3.  <Newly Inserted by Act No. 9155, Dec. 19, 2008>  
[This Article Wholly Amended by Act No. 8933, Mar. 21, 2008]  
 
Article 5 (Applications for Investigations, and Decisions on Commencement of Investigations, of Unfair  
International Trade Practices)  
(1) Where it is considered that unfair international trade practices have occurred, any person may apply for the 
investigation thereof in writing to the Trade Commission.  
(2) An application for the investigation of unfair international trade practices under paragraph (1) shall be made 
within one year from the date of the alleged violation.  
(3) Upon receipt of an application under paragraph (1), the Trade Commission shall decide whether to 
commence the investigation within 20 days from the date of application.  
[This Article Wholly Amended by Act No. 8933, Mar. 21, 2008]  
Article 6 (Ex Officio Investigations)  
The Trade Commission may undertake an ex officio investigation where the Trade Commission considers 
such investigation is necessary due to the existence of a reasonable suspicion of unfair international trade 
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Page 5practices.  
[This Article Wholly Amended by Act No. 8933, Mar. 21, 2008]  
Article 7 (Provisional Measures)  
(1) Any person who is suffering or has concerns over suffering irreparable injury by reason of unfair international 
trade practices of which the person filed an application for the investigation to the Trade Commission or the 
Trade Commission is undertaking the ex officio investigation may apply to the Trade Commission for an 
injunction or other measures (hereinafter referred to as "provisional measures") preventing injury from such 
unfair international trade practices.  
(2) Where provisional measures are applied for, the Trade Commission shall promptly complete the 
investigation and decide whether to take provisional measures. Where the Trade Commission opts to 
implement provisional measures, it shall issue an injunction or take other necessary measures to the 
relevant actor, without delay, in order to deal with related unfair international practices.  
(3) The Trade Commission may request assistance from the heads of administrative agencies concerned where 
the Trade Commission considers such action is necessary for the enforcement of provisional measures.  
[This Article Wholly Amended by Act No. 8933, Mar. 21, 2008]  
Article 8 (Provision of Security)  
(1) Any person who applies for provisional measures shall offer a security to the Trade Commission until the 
provisional measures under Article 7 (2) are decided.  
(2) With respect to the kind, appraisal, and method of offering of a security, and the change and supplement of 
a security under paragraph (1), Articles 29 through 32 of the Framework Act on National Taxes shall apply 
mutatis mutandis. In such cases, the "chief of the tax office" shall be deemed the "Trade Commission."  
(3) Where the Trade Commission decides not to accept an application for provisional measures or completes 
the investigation and judgment procedures on unfair international trade practices under Article 9 (1), the 
Trade Commission shall return the security.  
(4) With respect to the operation of the security system, other necessary matters, in addition to those 
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Page 6determined by paragraphs (1) through (3), shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree.  
[This Article Wholly Amended by Act No. 8933, Mar. 21, 2008]  
Article 9 (Judgment and Notices, etc.)  
(1) Once the Trade Commission decides to commence an investigation under Article 5 (3), it shall promptly 
complete the investigation within six months from the relevant decision date and make judgment on the 
investigation.  
(2) The Trade Commission may extend the period under paragraph (1) twice within the limit of two months, 
where any of the following reasons exists:  
1. Where the procedure for dispute conciliation, including a lawsuit or patent trial with respect to unfair 
international practices under investigation, is underway;  
2. Where an applicant or respondent requests to extend the period on justifiable grounds;  
3. Other cases deemed necessary to extend the period for unavoidable reasons, including cases where 
matters to be investigated are complicated, or the relevant party fails to submit materials.  
(3) Where the Trade Commission make judgment on an unfair international trade practice, the Trade 
Commission shall give notice of the decision to the parties concerned and the persons interested without 
delay.  
[This Article Wholly Amended by Act No. 8933, Mar. 21, 2008]  
Article 10 (Corrective Measures)  
(1) Where the Trade Commission judges that unfair international trade practices under Article 4 (1) exist, the 
Trade Commission may order the relevant actor to do the matters as follows. In such cases, the Trade 
Commission shall seek the opinion from the Minister of Knowledge and Economy:  <Amended by Act No. 9155, 
Dec. 19, 20 08> 
1. Suspending import, export, sale, or manufacture of the goods, etc. concerned;  
2. Banning the landing of such goods, etc. or abandoning such goods;  
3. Making corrective advertising;  
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Page 74. Publishing the fact of receiving a corrective order from the Trade Commission in violation of the Act;  
5. Other necessary measures to correct unfair international trade practices.  
(2) The Trade Commission may request assistance from the heads of administrative agencies concerned where 
the Trade Commission deems such request is necessary to take corrective measures under paragraph (1). 
In such cases, the heads of administrative agencies concerned so requested shall cooperate with such 
request.  <Amended by Act No. 10230, Apr. 5, 2010>  
(3) Deleted.  <by Act No. 9155, Dec. 19, 2008>  
[This Article Wholly Amended by Act No. 8933, Mar. 21, 2008]  
Article 11 (Imposition of Penalty Surcharges)  
(1) Where the Trade Commission judges that unfair international trade practices have occurred under Article 4 
(1) 1, 3 or 4, the Trade Commission may impose a penalty surcharge upon the relevant actor, not exceeding 
an amount equivalent to 30/100 of the transaction amount prescribed by Presidential Decree: Provided, That 
where there is no transaction amount or where it is difficult to compute the transaction amount, as 
prescribed by Presidential Decree, the penalty surcharge may be up to, but not exceed, 500 million won.  
<Amended by Act No. 8933, Mar. 21, 2008; Act No. 9155, Dec. 19, 2008; Act No. 10230, Apr. 5, 2010>  
(2) Deleted.  <by Act No. 7093, Jan. 20, 2004>  
(3) Where the Trade Commission judges that unfair international trade practices occur under Article 4 (1) 2, the 
Trade Commission may impose a penalty surcharge of not more than 300 million won upon the relevant 
actor.  <Amended by Act No. 8933, Mar. 21, 2008; Act No. 9155, Dec. 19, 2008; Act No. 10230, Apr. 5, 2010>  
(4) The standards for imposition of a penalty surcharge under paragraphs (1) and (3) shall be prescribed by 
Presidential Decree.  <Amended by Act No. 8933, Mar. 21, 2008; Act No. 9155, Dec. 19, 2008>  
Article 12 (Extensions of Payment Deadline for Penalty Surcharge and Payment by Installments)  
(1) The Trade Commission may extend the payment deadline for a penalty surcharge or permit a penalty 
surcharge to be paid in installments, where the amount of the penalty surcharge corresponds to the criteria 
determined by Presidential Decree and a person subject to payment of the penalty surcharge (hereinafter 
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Page 8referred to as "person liable for a penalty surcharge") is proven to have difficulty in paying the penalty 
surcharge in lump sum due to any of the following reasons. In such cases, if it is deemed necessary, the 
Trade Commission may require the person liable for a penalty surcharge to offer security:  
1. Where substantial injury to property has been caused by calamity, natural disaster, etc.;  
2. Where the business faces a considerable crisis due to deteriorating economic circumstances, including 
international trade;  
3. Where a lump sum payment of the penalty surcharge is likely to result in considerable financial hardship;  
4. Where other factors exist deemed equivalent to the conditions described in subparagraphs 1 through 3.  
(2) In relation to the application procedures and methods for extending the payment deadline for a penalty 
surcharge and for its payment by installment, necessary matters shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree.  
[This Article Wholly Amended by Act No. 8933, Mar. 21, 2008]  
Article 13 (Collection of Penalty Surcharges and Disposition on Default, etc.)  
(1) Where a person liable for a penalty surcharge fails to pay it within the payment deadline, the Trade 
Commission shall collect an additional charge prescribed by Presidential Decree up to 5/100 of the amount 
of the penalty surcharge, payable from the date following the due date of payment to the date such payment 
is made.  
(2) Where a penalty surcharge is not paid within the payment deadline by a person liable for a penalty 
surcharge, the Trade Commission shall set a specific date for payment thereof and urge the person to pay it 
within such date, and where a person liable for a penalty surcharge fails to pay the penalty surcharge and 
additional charge within such specified date, the Trade Commission may collect in the same manner as the 
delinquent national taxes are collected.  
(3) Where the Trade Commission refunds penalty surcharges by reason of the decision on an objection under 
Article 14, ruling of administrative appeals or judgment of the court, etc., it shall offer the refunded additional 
charge for the period from the due date of payment from the refund date, in consideration of the interest rate 
of a financial institution, as prescribed by Presidential Decree.  
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Page 9[This Article Wholly Amended by Act No. 8933, Mar. 21, 2008]  
Article 13 -2 (Charges for Compelling Com pliance)  
(1) With respect to a person who fails to comply with a corrective order within the corrective period after 
receiving the corrective order under Article 10 (1), the Trade Commission may, by designating considerable 
compliance period for the corrective order, impose charges for compelling compliance up to 5/1,000 of the 
price of the relevant goods. etc. per day, if the person fails to comply with the corrective order within the 
compliance period, as prescribed by Presidential Decree: Provided, That the total amount of charges 
imposed for compelling compliance shall not exceed the price of the relevant goods, etc.  
(2) The Trade Commission shall notify in writing that the charges for compelling compliance under paragraph (1) 
are imposed and collected before imposing the charges for compelling compliance under paragraph (1).  
(3) Where the Trade Commission imposes charges for compelling compliance under paragraph (1), it shall 
impose charges based on the document stating in detail the amount of charges for compelling compliance, 
reasons for imposition, payment deadline, collecting agency, method to raise an objection, and objection-
raising agency, etc.  
(4) Where any person who receives an corrective order under Article 10 (1) complies with such order, the Trade 
Commission shall immediately stop imposing new charges for compelling compliance but collect the charges 
for compelling compliance already imposed.  
(5) The detailed criteria for computing the price of the relevant goods, etc. under paragraph (1) shall be 
prescribed by Presidential Decree.  
[This Article Newly Inserted by Act No. 10230, Apr. 5, 2010]  
Article 14 (Objections)  
(1) A person who objects to the Trade Commission's disposition under Article 10, 11 or 13-2 may raise an 
objection to the Trade Commission within 30 days from the date on which the person is notified of the 
disposition.  <Amended by Act No. 10230, Apr. 5, 2010>  
(2) The Trade Commission shall render a decision as to an objection under paragraph (1) within 60 days after 
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Page 10the objection is raised: Provided, That if the decision cannot be made within the period because of 
unavoidable circumstances, such as the submission of new evidence during the process of investigation, the 
deadline for such decision may be extended up to 30 days.  
(3) A person raised an objection under paragraph (1) may file an administrative appeal under the Administrative 
Appeals Act or an administrative litigation under the Administrative Litigation Act, regardless of such 
objection.  
[This Article Wholly Amended by Act No. 8933, Mar. 21, 2008]  
Article 14 -2 (Verification of Goods, etc. Violating Intellectual Property Rights)  
(1) After judging the goods, etc. violating intellectual property rights as unfair international trade practices, if the 
Trade Commission considers that unfair international trade practices under Article 4 (1) 1, with respect to the 
kind of goods equivalent to the goods, etc. violating intellectual property rights, are likely to occur or has 
already occurred, any person may request the Trade Commission to verify whether the relevant goods, etc. 
are goods, etc. violating intellectual property rights, as prescribed by Presidential Decree.  <Amended by Act 
No. 9155, Dec. 19, 2008>  
(2) If there exists suspicion of the acts under paragraph (1) or (2), and it is required to verify such acts, the 
Trade Commission shall verify the suspicion ex officio.  
(3) When the Trade Commission verifies the acts pursuant to paragraph (1) or (2), the verification shall be 
limited to the scope required to determine whether the relevant goods, etc. are the same as the goods, etc. 
violating intellectual property rights or whether the relevant actor is a rightful person.  
(4) Where the Trade Commission verifies the acts pursuant to paragraph (1) or (2), it shall promptly notify a 
relevant party or interested person of the results thereof.  
(5) The acts verified by the Trade Commission as being the goods, etc. violating intellectual property rights 
pursuant to paragraph (1) or (2), shall be deemed the acts judged as unfair international trade practices 
under Article 4 (1) 1, as provided for in Article 9.  <Amended by Act No. 9155, Dec. 19, 2008>  
[This Article Newly Inserted by Act No. 8933, Mar. 21, 2008]  
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Page 11Article 14 -3 (Provision of Rewards)  
(1) Where the Trade Commission imposes penalty surcharges under Article 11 on an unfair international trade 
practice (including cases deemed unfair international trade practices under Article 14-2 (5)) under Article 4 
(1) 1, it may provide not more than 10/100 of the amount of the penalty surcharges, which is the amount 
prescribed by Presidential Decree, within budgetary limits, as rewards, to a person under any of the 
following subparagraphs:  <Amended by Act No. 9155, Dec. 19, 2008>  
1. A person who applies to investigating or verifying the relevant unfair international trade practice;  
2. A person who offers critical material or information on the suspicion of relevant unfair international trade 
practices, if the Trade Commission investigates or verifies the relevant unfair international trade practice 
ex officio.  
(2) Any person prescribed by Presidential Decree, including those who file an application based on information 
acquired in service, or public officials who provided material, shall not be given the rewards under paragraph 
(1). 
[This Article Newly Inserted by Act No. 8933, Mar. 21, 2008]  
CHAPTER III  INVESTIGATIONS, ETC. INTO INJURY TO INDUSTRY 
CAUSED BY INCREASED IMPORT 
Article 15 (Applications for Investigations into Injury to Domestic Industry Caused by Increased Import of 
Particular Goods)  
Where increased import of particular goods are causing or have concerns over causing serious injury to a 
domestic industry that produces the kind of goods same as the particular goods or the goods in direct 
competition with the particular goods, any interested person in such domestic industry or the heads of the 
central administrative agencies in charge of the domestic industry may apply to the Trade Commission for 
an investigation into the injury to the domestic industry caused by import of such goods.  
[This Article Wholly Amended by Act No. 8933, Mar. 21, 2008]  
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Page 12Article 16 (Investigations into Injury to Domestic Industry)  
(1) Upon receipt of any application under Article 15 (1), the Trade Commission shall decide whether to 
commence an investigation in consultation with the head of the central administrative agency concerned 
within 30 days from the date of the application, and give notice of the decision to the applicant and the head 
of the central administrative agency concerned.  
(2) When the Trade Commission decides to commence an investigation under paragraph (1), the Trade 
Commission shall determine whether the import of particular goods causes serious injury to the domestic 
industry concerned within four months from the decision to commence the investigation is made: Provided, 
That where matters to be investigated are complicated, or where the applicant requests the period above to 
be extended for justifiable reasons, the period of investigation may be extended by a period not exceeding 
two months.  
[This Article Wholly Amended by Act No. 8933, Mar. 21, 2008]  
Article 17 (Recommendations for Safeguard Measures, etc.)  
(1) When the Trade Commission judges that the domestic industry is suffering or has concerns over suffering 
serious injury as a result of the investigation into injury under Article 16, the Trade Commission may decide 
on measures under any of the following subparagraphs (hereinafter referred to as "safeguard measures") 
and the relevant duration within one month from the date on which the determination is made and may 
recommend implementation of the measures to the head of the central administrative agency concerned:  
1. Adjustment of customs tariff;  
2. Quantitative restrictions on import of the goods concerned.  
(2) The Trade Commission may recommend the head of a related central administrative agency to implement 
the measures for promoting the restructuring of domestic industry (hereinafter referred to as "measures to 
promote restructuring") together with recommendations to implement the safeguard measures.  
(3) The duration of safeguard measures shall not exceed four years.  
(4) In deciding the safeguard measures and the relevant duration under paragraph (1), the Trade Commission 
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Page 13shall comprehensively take into account the impacts of the safeguard measures on the industries concerned, 
domestic price levels, consumer interests, and international trade relations, etc.  
(5) In deciding the safeguard measures and the relevant duration under paragraph (1), the Trade Commission 
shall limit to the extent necessary to prevent or remedy serious injury to the domestic industry and to 
facilitate structural adjustments of the domestic industry.  
[This Article Wholly Amended by Act No. 8933, Mar. 21, 2008]  
Article 18 (Recommendations for Provisional Safeguard Measures)  
(1) Where the Trade Commission receives an application for provisional measures on the goods subject to an 
application for investigation from an applicant for investigation during the investigation period as referred to 
in Article 16, and where it has judged that there exists obvious evidence that the domestic industry that 
produces the kind of goods same as the particular goods or the goods in direct competition with the 
particular goods is to suffer or has concerns over suffering serious injury at irrecoverable levels due to the 
increase of import of relevant products unless the injury, etc. to occur during the said investigation period are 
prevented, the said Commission may recommend the heads of related central administrative agencies to 
provisionally implement the safeguard measures as referred to in Article 17 (1) 1 (hereinafter referred to as 
"provisional safeguard measures").  
(2) The duration of provisional safeguard measures shall not exceed 200 days.  
[This Article Wholly Amended by Act No. 8933, Mar. 21, 2008]  
Article 18 -2 (Procedures of Application for Investigations into Injury to Domestic Industry)  
Matters necessary for the procedures of making an application for investigation under Article 15, the scope 
of domestic industry, the scope of interested parties, the period for deciding whether to commence the 
investigation, and the procedures of making an application for provisional safeguard measures, etc. shall be 
prescribed by Presidential Decree.  
[This Article Wholly Amended by Act No. 8933, Mar. 21, 2008]  
Article 19 (Implementation and Withdrawal of Safeguard Measures, etc.)  
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Page 14(1) When the head of the central administrative agency is recommended from the Trade Commission to 
implement safeguard measures, provisional safeguard measures or measures to promote restructuring, 
he/she shall decide whether to implement the relevant measures, the details of the measures, and relevant 
duration within one month, and notify the Trade Commission thereof. In such cases, if preparations are 
necessary as a consultation with major interested States and amendments, etc. of the Acts and subordinate 
statutes for the implementation of safeguard measures, provisional safeguard measures or measures to 
promote restructuring, the duration required for such preparations shall not be included therein.  
(2) The head of a central administrative agency shall, in determining whether to take safeguard measures or 
provisional safeguard measures under his/her jurisdiction, seek the opinion of the heads of other central 
administrative agencies concerned on the impacts of such measures on international trade relations, 
national economy and industry as a whole.  
(3) In the event that the duration of safeguard measures is one year or more, the heads of central administrative 
agencies shall gradually liberalize the safeguard measures, on the cycle of a specific duration.  
(4) The head of the central administrative agency shall withdraw safeguard measures where the causes for the 
safeguard measures no longer exist. In such cases, the head may seek an opinion from the Trade 
Commission, if necessary.  
(5) With regard to the goods subject to safeguard measures, the heads of central administrative agencies shall 
be prohibited from re-implementing any safeguard measures from the expiration date of the duration of 
relevant safeguard measures to the time prior to elapsing the duration equivalent to the said duration (two 
years in cases where the duration of safeguard measures falls short of two years): Provided, That if the 
following requirements are satisfied, the safeguard measures for not more than 180 days may be 
implemented:  
1. One year has to be elapsed since the safeguard measures on the relevant goods were implemented;  
2. The safeguard measures on the relevant goods shall not be more than twice within five years 
retrospectively from the date of re-implementing the safeguard measures.  
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Page 15[This Article Wholly Amended by Act No. 8933, Mar. 21, 2008]  
Article 20 (Review, etc. of Safeguard Measures)  
(1) Where the duration of safeguard measures exceeds three years, the Trade Commission shall review 
whether to liberalize or withdraw the safeguard measures (hereinafter referred to as "interim review") before 
half the said duration has elapsed.  
(2) When the Trade Commission judges that it is necessary to liberalize or withdraw safeguard measures as a 
result of the interim review, it may recommend the heads of related central administrative agencies thereof.  
(3) When the Trade Commission judges that it is necessary to take measures to promote restructuring on the 
domestic industry as a result of the interim review, it may recommend the heads of related central 
administrative agencies to do so.  
(4) When the head of central administrative agency has been recommended as referred to in paragraph (2) or 
(3), Article 19 (1) and (2) shall apply mutatis mutandis.  
[This Article Wholly Amended by Act No. 8933, Mar. 21, 2008]  
Article 20 -2 (Examination of Extension, etc. of Safeguard Measures)  
(1) Where an application from an applicant for investigation as referred to in Article 15 exists with regard to the 
safeguard measures in progress, the Trade Commission may examine whether to make recommendations 
for the extension, etc. of such measures.  
(2) When the Trade Commission judges that there exists, as a result of the examination as referred to in 
paragraph (1), evidence that the domestic industry is in the process of restructuring, and that it is necessary 
for preventing or remedying serious injury to the domestic industry, it may recommend the heads of related 
central administrative agencies, one month before the expiration date of the relevant safeguard measures, 
to alter the details of safeguard measures or to extend their application duration.  
(3) The Trade Commission may recommend the heads of related central administrative agencies, together with 
the recommendations as referred to in paragraph (2), to implement the measures to promote restructuring.  
(4) When the head of a central administrative agency has been recommended pursuant to paragraph (2) or (3) 
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Page 16from the Trade Commission, he/she shall hear the opinions of the heads of related central administrative 
agencies before the measures currently in progress come to a close, and determine whether to implement 
the relevant measures, the details of measures and their duration, and notify the Trade Commission thereof. 
In such cases, the details of measures to be altered and the details of measures within the application 
duration to be extended shall be more liberalized than the original measures.  
(5) When the details of safeguard measures are altered or their application duration are extended pursuant to 
paragraph (4), the durations derived from adding up the duration of original safeguard measures (including 
the duration of provisional safeguard measures) to their extended duration shall not exceed eight years.  
[This Article Wholly Amended by Act No. 8933, Mar. 21, 2008]  
Article 21 Deleted.  <by Act No. 8933, Mar. 21, 2008>  
Article 22 (Safeguard Measures on Services)  
(1) Due to the increased supply of services by a foreign provider, where the domestic industry that supplies the 
kind of services same as the domestic services or the services in direct competition with the domestic 
services is suffering or has concerns over suffering serious injury, any person who is in the interests of the 
domestic industry or the head of the central administrative agency in charge of the domestic industry may 
apply to the Trade Commission for an investigation into injury to the domestic industry.  
(2) When the Trade Commission receives an application pursuant to paragraph (1), it shall determine whether 
to commence the investigation, and if it judges as a result of the investigation that the relevant domestic 
industry is suffering or has concerns over suffering serious injury, it shall determine safeguard measures 
(hereinafter referred to as "services safeguard measures") and their duration, and it may recommend the 
heads of the central administrative agencies to implement services safeguard measures.  
(3) When the head of a central administrative agency has been recommended to implement services safeguard 
measures from the Trade Commission as referred to in paragraph (2), he/she shall determine whether to 
implement the relevant measures, the details of measures and their duration, and notify the Trade 
Commission thereof.  
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Page 17(4) Matters necessary for the procedures of making an application for investigation on services safeguard 
measures as referred to in paragraphs (1) through (3), the scope of domestic industry, the scope of 
interested parties, and the period for deciding whether to commence the investigation, shall be prescribed by 
Presidential Decree.  
[This Article Wholly Amended by Act No. 8933, Mar. 21, 2008]  
 
Article 22 -2 (Special Safeguard Measures against Specific Member States of WTO)  
(1) Where the goods having the country prescribed by Presidential Decree as the origins from among the 
member states that join the WTO after 2001 fall under any of the following subparagraphs, the persons 
having an interest in the relevant domestic industry or the head of a related central administrative agency in 
charge of the relevant domestic industry may file with the Trade Commission an application for investigation 
in order to implement safeguard measures (hereinafter referred to as "special safeguard measures"):  
1. Where the domestic markets of the goods same as the relevant goods or the goods in direct competition 
with the relevant goods are disturbed or have concerns over being disturbed, due to the increase in 
import of relevant goods;  
2. Where the relevant goods are imported or have concerns over being imported into Korea as the serious 
trade conversion has occurred due to the measures that have been taken by the member states of WTO 
against the increase of import of relevant products in order to remedy or prevent any disturbance of 
markets in their states;  
3. If the relevant goods are the items subject to the Agreement on Textiles and Clothing, where the trade 
development of the said items are impeded or have concerns over being impeded, as the import of 
relevant goods have disturbed the domestic markets.  
(2) Where the Trade Commission receives an application pursuant to paragraph (1), it may recommend, after 
carrying out investigation following the decision on whether to commence the investigation, the heads of 
related administrative agencies to implement the safeguard measures, etc. as referred to in Article 17 (1) or 
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Page 18(2) when judged that the result falls under paragraph (1) 1 or 2, and to implement the safeguard measures 
as referred to in Article 17 (1) 2 when judged that the result falls under paragraph (1) 3.  
(3) Where the Trade Commission receives from an applicant for investigation an application for the provisional 
measures on the goods applied for investigation as referred to in paragraph (1) 1, when it has judged that 
unless the injury, etc. to occur during the said investigation period are prevented, the domestic markets are 
disturbed or have concerns over being disturbed at the irrecoverable levels due to the increase of import of 
relevant goods, it may recommend the heads of related administrative agencies to implement the safeguard 
measures as referred to in Article 17 (1) provisionally within the limit of 200 days (hereinafter referred to as 
"provisional special safeguard measures").  
(4) Where an application from an applicant for investigation as referred to in paragraph (1) exists with regard to 
the special safeguard measures in implementation as falling under the case of paragraph (1) 1, when the 
Trade Commission has judged that they are necessary for preventing or remedying any market disturbance 
of the domestic industry, it may recommend the heads of related administrative agencies to extend special 
safeguard measures and to take measures to promote restructuring.  
(5) When the head of central administrative agency has been recommended from the Trade Commission, as 
referred to in paragraphs (2) through (4), for implementing special safeguard measures, provisional special 
safeguard measures, extension of special safeguard measures, or measures to promote restructuring, it 
shall determine whether to implement the relevant measures, the details of measures and their duration, and 
notify the Trade Commission thereof.  
(6) Matters necessary for the countries subject to special safeguard measures and provisional special 
safeguard measures, the procedures for making an application for investigation, the scope of domestic 
industry, the scope of interested parties, and the period for deciding whether to commence the investigation, 
etc. under paragraphs (1) through (5) shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree.  
[This Article Wholly Amended by Act No. 8933, Mar. 21, 2008]  
Article 22 -3 (Safeguard Measures by Free Trade Agreements with Foreign States)  
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Page 19(1) Where free trade agreements concluded bilaterally or multilaterally between Korea and foreign states 
(hereinafter referred to as "FTA") prescribe that injury, etc. to the domestic industry due to the increase of 
import of specific goods may be remedied (including cases where a FTA separately stipulates specific goods 
and prescribes injury, etc. to the domestic industry due to the increase of import of the specific goods may 
be remedied) and when the domestic industry producing the kind of goods same as the particular goods or 
the goods in direct competition with the particular goods or domestic markets are suffering or have concerns 
over suffering from the injury, etc. as prescribed in the FTA due to the increase of import of the specific 
goods from the relevant states (hereafter referred to as "injury, etc. to industry" in this Article), the interested 
parties of relevant domestic industry or the head of related central administrative agency in charge of 
relevant domestic industry may file with the Trade Commission an application for the investigation to 
implement corrective measures of custom tariffs decided on in a FTA (hereinafter referred to as "FTA 
safeguard measures").  
(2) When the Trade Commission receives an application pursuant to paragraph (1), and when it has judged, 
through the investigation after determining whether to commence investigation, that there exists the injury, 
etc. to the relevant domestic industry or domestic markets, it shall determine FTA safeguard measures and 
their duration to prevent or remedy the injury, and may recommend the head of related central administrative 
agency to implement the FTA safeguard measures.  
(3) The Trade Commission may recommend the head of a related central administrative agency to implement 
measures to promote restructuring as well as the FTA safeguard measures under paragraph (2).  
(4) Where the Trade Commission has received from an applicant for investigation an application for provisional 
measures on the goods applied for investigation during the investigation period referred to in paragraph (2), 
and when it has judged that unless the injury, etc. to occur during the said investigation period are prevented, 
the domestic industry producing the kind of goods same as the particular goods or the goods in direct 
competition with the particular goods or the domestic markets are disturbed or have concerns over being 
disturbed at the irrecoverable levels due to the increase of import of relevant goods, it may recommend the 
IP/N/1/KOR/U/4 
Page 20heads of related administrative agencies to implement provisional measures in order to remedy the injury 
(hereinafter referred to as "provisional FTA safeguard measures").  
(5) Where there has been an application for FTA safeguard measures in implementation from an applicant for 
investigation as referred to in paragraph (1), and when the Trade Commission has judged that they are 
necessary for preventing or remedying injury, etc. to the domestic industry or domestic markets, it may 
recommend the head of a related central administrative agency to implement FTA safeguard measures and 
to extend their duration.  
(6) When the head of the related central administrative agency has been recommended from the Trade 
Commission as referred to in paragraphs (2) through (5) to implement FTA safeguard measures, provisional 
FTA safeguard measures or the extension of FTA safeguard measures, or measures to promote 
restructuring, he/she shall determine whether to implement the relevant measures, the details of the 
measures, and their durations, and notify the Trade Commission thereof.  
(7) Matters necessary for the countries subject to FTA safeguard measures and provisional FTA safeguard 
measures, standards to determine injury, etc. to the industry with regard to specific goods separately 
stipulated in a FTA, the procedures for making an application for investigation, the scope of domestic 
industry, the scope of interested parties, and the period for deciding whether to commence the investigation, 
etc. as referred to in paragraphs (1) through (6) shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree.  
[This Article Wholly Amended by Act No. 8933, Mar. 21, 2008]  
Article 22 -4 (Abatement of Implementation of Safeguard Measures against FTA Counterparts)  
(1) Where a FTA stipulates that safeguard measures need not to be applied to a FTA counterpart, and where 
the Trade Commission has judged that the domestic markets are not disturbed or have not concerns over 
being disturbed due to the increase of import of relevant goods while investigating injury to the domestic 
industry under Article 16, Articles 15 through 20, and 20-2 may not be applied to the FTA counterpart.  
(2) Matters necessary for the countries subject to abate implementation, requirements of implementation 
abatement, procedures for investigation, etc. shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree.  
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Page 21[This Article Newly Inserted by Act No. 8933, Mar. 21, 2008]  
Article 22 -5 (Trade Damage Support Measures on Increase in Import of Specific Goods following FTA)  
(1) Where the domestic industry producing the kind of goods same as the particular goods or the goods in direct 
competition with the particular goods are suffering or have concerns over suffering from the severe injury 
due to the increase in import of the specific goods from a FTA counterpart (hereafter referred to as "trade 
damage" in this Article), the interested parties of the relevant domestic industry or the head of the related 
central administrative agency taking charge of relevant domestic industry may file with the Trade 
Commission an application for the investigation to implement the support measures necessary to boost 
competitiveness of the domestic industry and to promote restructuring (hereinafter referred to as "trade 
damage support measures").  
(2) Article 16 shall apply mutatis mutandis to the investigation and judgment of trade damage following an 
application under paragraph (1). In such cases, "Article 15" in Article 16 (1) shall be deemed "Article 22- 5 
(1)" and "whether the import of particular goods cause serious injury to the domestic industry" in paragraph 
(2) of the same Article shall be deemed "whether it falls under the case of trade damage."  
(3) Where the Trade Commission has judged, as a result of the investigation under paragraph (2), that there 
exists trade damage to the domestic industry, it may decide the trade damage support measures and 
recommend the heads of related administrative agencies to implement thereof within one month from the 
date of judgment.  
(4) When the Trade Commission decides the trade damage support measures as provided for in paragraph (3), 
it shall do so within the scope necessary to prevent or remedy trade damage to the relevant domestic 
industry, to boost industrial competitiveness and to promote industrial restructuring.  
(5) Article 19 (1) and (4) shall apply mutatis mutandis to the implementation and cancellation of the trade 
damage support measures under paragraph (3). In such cases, "safeguard measures, provisional safeguard 
measures or measures to promote restructuring" in the former and later parts of Article 19 (1) shall be 
deemed "trade damage support measures," respectively, and "safeguard measures" in the former part of 
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Page 22paragraph (4) of the same Article shall be deemed "trade damage support measures."  
(6) Matters necessary for the procedures for making an application for investigation of trade damage support 
measures, the scope of domestic industry, the scope of interested parties, and the procedures for 
investigation and judgment as referred to in paragraphs (1) through (5) shall be prescribed by Presidential 
Decree.  
[This Article Newly Inserted by Act No. 8933, Mar. 21, 2008]  
Articl e 22-6 (Cooperation with Foreign States after FTA )  
The Trade Commission may cooperate with the counterpart of a FTA in order to smoothly perform duties 
related to remedy against injury to an industry, including investigations into injury to an industry (excluding 
cases prescribed in the Customs Act and the Act on Special Cases of the Customs Act for the 
Implementation of Free Trade Agreements) to implement FTA safeguard measures, as prescribed by 
Presidential Decree.  
[This Article Newly Inserted by Act No. 8933, Mar. 21, 2008]  
 
CHAPTER IV INVESTIGATIONS, ETC. OF INJURY TO INDUSTRY 
CAUSED BY DUMPING AND SUBSIDIES  
Article 23 (Investigations, etc. into Injury to Industry Caused by Dumping)  
The decision to commence an investigation into injury to an industry caused by dumping, investigation into 
allegations of dumping, investigation and judgment of injury to the industry caused by dumping, 
recommendation of anti-dumping measures to prevent dumping, review, etc., shall be made in accordance 
with Articles 51 through 56 of the Customs Act.  
[This Article Wholly Amended by Act No. 8933, Mar. 21, 2008]  
Article 24 (Investigations, etc. into Injury to Industry Caused by Subsidies)  
The decision to commence an investigation into injury to an industry caused by subsidies, etc., investigation 
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Page 23of payment of subsidies, etc., investigation and judgment of injury to the industry caused by subsidies, etc., 
recommendation of countervailing measures, review, etc., shall be made in accordance with Articles 57 
through 62 of the Customs Act.  
[This Article Wholly Amended by Act No. 8933, Mar. 21, 2008]  
 
CHAPTER V INVESTIGATIONS INTO IMPACTS, ETC. ON INDUSTRIAL 
COMPETITIVENESS  
Article 25 (Investigations into Impacts, etc. on Industrial Competitiveness)  
The Trade Commission may investigate the impacts of import of goods or supply of services from foreign 
countries on the competitiveness of the domestic industry, and the effects, etc. of conclusion of the trade 
agreement or the alterations in the international trade systems on the domestic economy.  
[This Article Wholly Amended by Act No. 8933, Mar. 21, 2008]  
Article 25 -2 (Investigations into Injury to Domestic Industry due to Violations of International Trade Norms by 
Trade Counterparts)  
(1) The Trade Commission may conduct an investigation on whether the domestic industry producing the 
specific goods or services suffers or has concerns over suffering any injury due to the systems and practices 
of the trade counterparts that violate international trade norms.  
(2) Matters necessary for the investigation as referred to in paragraph (1) shall be prescribed by Presidential 
Decree.  
[This Article Wholly Amended by Act No. 8933, Mar. 21, 2008]  
Article 25 -3 (Recommendation for Remedy Measures)  
When the Trade Commission has judged as a result of investigation as referred to in Article 25-2 that the 
domestic industry suffers or has concerns over suffering injury, it may recommend the head of related 
central administrative agency to implement the measures necessary for corrections of the details of 
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Page 24violations of the international trade norms by the trade counterparts.  
[This Article Wholly Amended by Act No. 8933, Mar. 21, 2008]  
Article 26 (Demand for Investigation Material)  
The Trade Commission may, if deemed necessary by the Trade Commission for investigation under Article 
25, demand that related agencies and organizations, such as the heads of the central administrative 
agencies concerned and the enterprise associations under Article 38 of the Industrial Development Act, 
submit material for investigation.  
[This Article Wholly Amended by Act No. 8933, Mar. 21, 2008]  
 
CHAPTER VI TRADE COMMISSION  
Article 27 (Establishment of Trade Commission)  
(1) The Trade Commission shall be established within the Ministry of Knowledge and Economy to conduct 
investigations and make judgment on unfair international trade practices, injury to domestic industry caused 
by the increase of import, dumping, and subsidies, etc. and to investigate the impact on industrial 
competitiveness.  
(2) A Secretariat shall be established within the Trade Commission to perform the functions and duties of the 
Trade Commission, as specified in paragraph (1), as well as the research on international trade systems, etc.  
[This Article Wholly Amended by Act No. 8933, Mar. 21, 2008]  
Article 28 (Functions and Jurisdiction of Trade Commission)  
The duties under the jurisdiction of the Trade Commission shall be as follows:  
1. To investigate and judge unfair international trade practices and to decide provisional measures;  
2. To take corrective measures against and to impose penalty surcharges on persons that commit unfair 
international trade practices;  
3. To conduct investigations of injury to the domestic industry due to the increase in import and make 
IP/N/1/KOR/U/4 
Page 25judgment thereon;  
4. To make recommendations, interim reviews or examination of extension for the measures as follow:  
(a) Safeguard measures and provisional safeguard measures;  
(b) Services safeguard measures;  
(c) Special safeguard measures and provisional special safeguard measures;  
(d) FTA safeguard measures and provisional FTA safeguard measures;  
5. To investigate and determine trade damage, and recommendation of support measures for trade damage 
as referred to in Article 22- 5; 
6. To investigate the impacts, etc. on the competitiveness of the domestic industry as referred to in Article 
25; 
7. To investigate injury to the domestic industry due to the violations of international trade norms by the 
trade counterparts as referred to in Article 25- 2; 
8. To decide whether to commence investigations into injury to an industry, to investigate allegations of 
dumping, to investigate and determine injury to an industry caused by dumping, and to make 
recommendations on or review anti-dumping measures, with respect to the imposition of anti-dumping 
duties under Articles 51 through 56 of the Customs Act;  
9. To decide whether to commence investigations into injury to an industry, to investigate the payment of 
subsidies, etc., to investigate and determine injury to an industry caused by subsidies, etc., and to make 
recommendations on or review the countervailing measures, with respect to the imposition of 
countervailing duties under Articles 57 through 62 of the Customs Act;  
10. To deliberate whether a company is subject to trade adjustment assistance under Article 6 (2) of the Act 
on Trade Adjustment Assistance Following the Free Trade Agreements;  
11. To investigate and research rules, systems and cases of disputes relating to international trade;  
12. To conduct tasks authorized to the Trade Commission by other Acts and subordinate statutes;  
13. To investigate and recommend measures recognized by the Trade Commission as necessary, such as 
IP/N/1/KOR/U/4 
Page 26the promotion of fair trade.  
[This Article Wholly Amended by Act No. 8933, Mar. 21, 2008]  
Article 29 (Composition, etc. of Trade Commission)  
(1) The Trade Commission shall be comprised of no more than nine commissioners, including one chairperson.  
(2) The number of commissioners working on a full time basis shall be determined by Presidential Decree.  
(3) The chairperson and other commissioners shall be appointed or commissioned by the President upon 
recommendation of the Minister of Knowledge and Economy from among persons falling under any of the 
following subparagraphs:  
1. A person who has served in the field of trade promotion, business management, accounting, customs or 
intellectual property rights for ten years or more;  
2. A person who majored in law, economics, business administration, or public administration at a school 
under Article 2 of the Higher Education Act and served for ten years or more at a university or publicly 
authorized research institute under the same Article as an associate professor or higher or as a staff 
member holding the equivalent position;  
3. A person who had a career as a judge, prosecutor, or attorney- at-law for ten years or more;  
4. A person who served as a public official belonging to the Senior Civil Service in the field of industrial 
policy, trade promotion or customs administration.  
(4) The chairperson and commissioners shall be appointed for a threeyear term and may be reappointed or 
recommissioned.  
[This Article Wholly Amended by Act No. 8933, Mar. 21, 2008]  
Article 30 (Chairperson)  
(1) The chairperson shall represent the Trade Commission.  
(2) If the chairperson is unable to perform his/her duties due to unavoidable reasons, such as physical or mental 
impairment, a full-time commissioner with priority in appointment shall act on the chairperson's behalf.  
[This Article Wholly Amended by Act No. 8933, Mar. 21, 2008]  
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Page 27Article 31 (Guarantee of Status of Commissioners)  
No commissioner shall be dismissed or discharged from his/her office, except for cases falling under any of 
the following subparagraphs:  
1. Where a commissioner is sentenced to imprisonment without prison labor or heavier punishment;  
2. Where the Minister of Knowledge and Economy declares that a commissioner cannot perform his/her 
duties due to long-term physical or mental incapacity.  
[This Article Wholly Amended by Act No. 8933, Mar. 21, 2008]  
Article 32 (Quorum of Proceedings and Decision)  
The presence of a majority of all commissioners shall constitute a quorum at any meeting of the Trade 
Commission, and its decision shall be made by an affirmative vote of a half or more of commissioners 
present.  
[This Article Wholly Amended by Act No. 8933, Mar. 21, 2008]  
Article 33 (Access to Trade Commission Proceedings)  
(1) The deliberation and decisions of the Trade Commission shall be open to the public: Provided, That this 
shall not apply where it is necessary for protecting trade secrets of interested persons or for public interest.  
(2) Decision making process of the Trade Commission shall not be made available to the public.  
[This Article Wholly Amended by Act No. 8933, Mar. 21, 2008]  
Article 34 (Exclusion, Challenge or Abstention of Commissioner)  
(1) No commissioner may take part in the proceedings or decisionmaking process any of the following cases:  
1. A case in which a commissioner or his/her spouse or ex-spouse is a party concerned, co-creditor or co-
debtor;  
2. A case in which a commissioner is a relative to, or his/her affiliated corporation acts as a legal counsel or 
management consultant for, a party;  
3. A case of which a commissioner or his/her affiliated corporation testifies or makes an appraisal;  
4. A case in which a commissioner or his/her affiliated corporation is or was, as an attorney, engaged.  
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Page 28(2) Where the parties to the cases under investigation by the Trade Commission are under such situation that it 
is difficult to expect impartiality in the deliberation and resolution on the part of the commissioners, they may 
file an application for challenge with the Trade Commission, and when the said Commission deems that the 
application for challenge is pertinent, it shall make a decision of challenge.  
(3) Where the commissioners themselves fall under the causes as referred to in any subparagraph of paragraph 
(1) or the causes under paragraph (2), they may abstain by themselves any deliberation or resolution of the 
said cases.  
[This Article Wholly Amended by Act No. 8933, Mar. 21, 2008]  
Article 35 (Prescriptions of Organization and Operation)  
Except for those matters prescribed by this Act, other matters necessary for the organization and operation 
of the Trade Commission shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree.  
[This Article Wholly Amended by Act No. 8933, Mar. 21, 2008]  
 
CHAPTER VII SUPPLEMENTARY PROVISIONS  
Article 36 (Investigations and Hearing of Opinions, etc.)  
(1) Where necessary for the enforcement of this Act, the Trade Commission may take any or all of the following 
actions, as prescribed by Presidential Decree:  
1. To require the attendance of any party, interested persons, or other reference persons to testify in the 
case; 
2. To appoint or delegate an appraisal;  
3. To request any opinion or advice from, or entrust any investigation to, the central administrative agencies, 
professional research institutes, enterprise associations, or experts.  
(2) When the Trade Commission deems it necessary for the enforcement of this Act, it may order the parties to 
submit the data or goods required for the investigations.  
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Page 29(3) Where necessary for the enforcement of this Act, the Trade Commission may order its public officials to 
enter offices, business sites, factories, workplaces, shops, warehouses, or any other locations of the party or 
other persons interested to inspect books, documents and other material and to make inquiries as deemed 
necessary for the investigation.  
(4) When the Trade Commission deems it necessary for the enforcement of this Act, it may order the heads of 
the central administrative agencies concerned to submit material required for the investigations. In such 
cases, the head so requested shall submit the material unless any extenuating circumstance exists.  <Newly 
Inserted by Act No. 10230, Apr. 5, 2010>  
(5) Public officials of the Trade Commission, entering any of the locations mentioned in paragraph (3) to make 
inspection and inquiries, shall carry a certificate indicating their authority and produce it to the persons 
concerned.  
[This Article Wholly Amended by Act No. 8933, Mar. 21, 2008]  
Article 37 (Composition of Investigative Team)  
(1) Where the Trade Commission deems it necessary for the enforcement of this Act, an investigative team 
(hereinafter referred to as "investigative team") shall be formed, comprised of persons from any of the 
following categories:  
1. Public officials of the Trade Commission;  
2. Public officials from the central administrative agencies in charge of the relevant industry;  
3. Executives and staff members of government-funded research institutions or enterprise associations, etc. 
related to the industry concerned under the Act on the Establishment, Operation and Fostering of 
Government-Funded Research Institutions;  
4. Other persons with expertise in industry, trade or international economy.  
(2) The Trade Commission may seek any assistance deemed necessary from the heads of the central 
administrative agencies, government-funded research institutes, or enterprise associations concerned in the 
composition of the investigative team.  
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Page 30(3) Matters pertaining to the composition and operation of the investigative team shall be determined by 
Presidential Decree.  
(4) The Trade Commission may provide any related allowances or travel expenses deemed necessary for 
members of the investigative team within budgetary limits.  
[This Article Wholly Amended by Act No. 8933, Mar. 21, 2008]  
 
Article 38 (Duty to Preserve Confidentiality)  
Any commissioner or public official who engages or has engaged in his/her duties under this Act or any 
person who performs or has performed investigations thereunder shall not divulge any confidential 
information obtained during the course of duties or use any such information for purposes other than the 
investigation or determination related to the enforcement of this Act.  
[This Article Wholly Amended by Act No. 8933, Mar. 21, 2008]  
Article 39 (Legal Fiction as Public Official in Application of Penal Provi sions)  
Any commissioner who is not a public official among commissioners of the Trade Commission, and any 
person falling under Article 37 (1) 3 or 4 shall be deemed public officials in application of the penal 
provisions under the Criminal Act and other Acts.  
[This Article Wholly Amended by Act No. 8933, Mar. 21, 2008]  
Article 39 -2 (Delegation and Entrustment of Authority)  
(1) Part of the authority with which the Trade Commission is vested under this Act may, as prescribed by 
Presidential Decree, be delegated to the Special Metropolitan City Mayor, Metropolitan City Mayor, Do 
Governor, Governor of a Special Self-Governing Province, and be entrusted to the heads of custom offices 
or other relevant administrative agencies.  
(2) The Trade Commission shall direct and control a person delegated and entrusted with respect to the affairs 
delegated and entrusted under paragraph (1).  
[This Article Newly Inserted by Act No. 10230, Apr. 5, 2010]  
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Page 31 
CHAPTER VIII PENAL PROVISIONS  
Article 40 (Penal Provisions)  
(1) Any person falling under any of the following subparagraphs shall be punished by imprisonment of not more 
than three years or by a fine not exceeding 30 million won:  <Amended by Act No. 9155, Dec. 19, 2008>  
1. Any person who exports or imports goods under any item of Article 4 (1) 2;  
2. Any person who violates any order of the provisional measures under Article 7 (2);  
3. Any person who violates any order of the corrective measures under Article 10 (1);  
4. Any person who violates the duty to preserve confidentiality under Article 38.  
(2) An appraiser appointed or delegated under Article 36 (1) 2 providing a false appraisal shall be punished by 
imprisonment of not more than two years or by a fine not exceeding 20 million won.  
[This Article Wholly Amended by Act No. 8933, Mar. 21, 2008]  
 
Article 40 -2 (Attempted Criminal)  
Any person who attempts to commit an offense under Article 40 (1) 1 shall be punished as committing any 
principal offense.  
[This Article Newly Inserted by Act No. 9155, Dec. 19, 2008]  
Article 40 -3 (Negligence)  
Any person who commits an offense under Article 40 (1) 1 by gross negligence shall be punished by a fine 
not exceeding 20 million won.  
[This Article Newly Inserted by Act No. 9155, Dec. 19, 2008]  
Article 41 (Joint Penal Provisions)  
(1) Where any representative, agent, employee or other employed person of a corporation has committed an 
offence under Article 40 with respect to the business of the corporation, the corporation shall be punished by 
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Page 32a fine under the same Article, as well as the principal offender: Provided, That this shall not apply where 
such corporation has not been negligent in giving due attention and supervision concerning the relevant 
duties to prevent such violation.  
(2) Where any agent, employee or other employed person of an individual has committed an offence under 
Article 40 with respect to the business of the individual, the individual shall be punished by a fine under the 
same Article, as well as the principal offender: Provided, That this shall not apply where such individual has 
not been negligent in giving due attention and supervision concerning the relevant duties to prevent such 
violation.  
[This Article Wholly Amended by Act No. 8933, Mar. 21, 2008]  
Article 42 (Fines for Negligence)  
(1) Any person falling under any of the following subparagraphs shall be punished by a fine for negligence not 
exceeding five million won:  
1. Any party concerned or any interested person who refuses, obstructs or otherwise avoids necessary 
attendance stipulated in Article 36 (1) 1;  
2. Any party concerned who fails to submit the required data or goods as referred to in Article 36 (2) or has 
submitted the data or goods in falsity;  
3. Any person who refuses, obstructs or otherwise avoids inspection, or who has obstructed questioning 
stipulated in Article 36 (3).  
(2) The Trade Commission shall impose and collect fines for negligence under paragraph (1), as prescribed by 
Presidential Decree.  
(3) Any person who objects to a disposition of a fine for negligence under paragraph (2) may raise an objection 
to the Trade Commission within 30 days of receipt of the notice of such disposition.  
(4) Where a person subject to a fine for negligence under paragraph (2) has raised an objection under 
paragraph (3), the Trade Commission shall promptly notify the competent court of such fact, and the court 
so notified shall bring the case to a trial on the fine for negligence in accordance with the Non-Contentious 
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Page 33Case Litigation Procedure Act.  
(5) Where neither objection is raised nor is a fine for negligence paid within the period under paragraph (3), the 
fine for negligence shall be collected pursuant to the precedents of a disposition on national taxes in arrear.  
[This Article Wholly Amended by Act No. 8933, Mar. 21, 2008]  
ADDENDA  
Article 1 (Enforcement Date)  
This Act shall enter into force three months after the date of its promulgation.  
Article 2 (Applicability to Provisions on Qualifications for Commissioners of Trade Commission)  
The provisions of Article 29 (3) shall start applying to commissioners of the Trade Commission appointed or 
commissioned after this Act enters into force.  
Article 3 (Transitional Measures as to Disposition, etc. Imposed by Minister of Commerce, Industry, and Energy)  
At the time this Act enters into force, a disposition or order imposed or made by the Minister of Commerce, 
Industry and Energy in accordance with the former Foreign Trade Act in relation to unfair international trade 
practices shall be deemed a disposition or order in accordance with this Act.  
Article 4 (Transitional Measure s as to Investigation and Determination of Unfair International Trade Practices and 
Measures, etc. thereagainst)  
The former provisions shall be applied to the matters on which an investigation procedure under Article 39 (3) 
of the former Foreign Trade Act concerning unfair international trade practices is pending at the time this Act 
enters into force.  
Article 5 (Transitional Measures as to Remedial Measures)  
At the time this Act enters into force, the remedial measures taken under Article 28 of the former Foreign 
Trade Act shall be deemed safeguard measures.  
Article 6 (Transitional Measures as to Penal Provisions, etc.)  
The application of penal provisions and provisions governing fines for negligence and penalty surcharges to 
any act committed before this Act enters into force shall be governed by the provisions of the former Foreign 
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Page 34Trade Act.  
Article 7 Omitted.  
ADDENDA  <Act No. 7093, Jan. 20, 2004>  
(1) (Enforcement Date) This Act shall enter into force nine months after the date of its promulgation.  
(2) (Applicability to Deadline for Judgment on Investigations of Unfair International Trade Practices) The 
amended provisions of Article 9 (1) shall start applying to the first application for the investigation of unfair 
international trade practices after this Act enters into force.  
(3) (Transitional Measures concerning Imposition of Penalty Surcharges) The former provisions shall govern 
the imposition of penalty surcharges on the acts committed before this Act enters into force.  
ADDENDA  <Act No. 7796, Dec. 29, 2005>  
Article 1 (Enforcement Date)  
This Act shall enter into force on July 1, 2006.  
Articles 2 through 6 Omitted.  
ADDENDA  <Act No. 8852, Feb. 29, 2008>  
Article 1 (Enforcement Date)  
This Act shall enter into force on the date of its promulgation. (Proviso Omitted.)  
Articles 2 through 7 Omitted.  
ADDENDA  <Act No. 8933, Mar. 21, 2008>  
Article 1 (Enforcement Date)  
This Act shall enter into force six months after the date of its promulgation.  
Article 2 (Applicability to Provision of Security)  
The amended provisions of Article 8 (1) shall start applying to the first person who applies for provisional 
measures after this Act enters into force.  
Article 3 (Applicability to Decision to Commence Investigation into Unfair International Trade Practices and 
Judgment thereon)  
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Page 35The amended provisions of Articles 5 (3), and 9 (1) and (2) shall start applying to the first application for the 
investigation of unfair international trade practices after this Act enters into force.  
Article 4 (Applicability to Refunded Addition al Charges for Penalty Surchages)  
The amended provisions of Article 13 (3) shall start applying to the first case of refunding additional charge 
imposed after this Act enters into force.  
Article 5 (Relations to other Acts and Subordinate Statutes)  
Where other Acts and subordinate statutes cite the provisions of the former Act on the Investigation of Unfair 
International Trade Practices and Remedy against Injury to Industry at the time this Act enters into force, 
and if this Act has the provisions corresponding thereto, the corresponding provisions in this Act shall be 
deemed to have been cited in lieu of the former provisions.  
ADDENDUM  <Act No. 9155, Dec. 19, 2008>  
This Act shall enter into force six months after the date of its promulgation.  
ADDENDA  <Act No. 10230, Apr. 5, 2010>  
(1) (Enforcement Date) This Act shall enter into force three months after the date of its promulgation.  
(2) (Applicability to Charges for Compelling Compliance) The amended provisions of Article 13-2 shall start 
applying to the first person who conducts unfair international trade practices after this Act enters into force.  
(3) (Transitional Measures concerning Penalty Surcharges) The former provisions shall govern the application 
of penalty surcharges on the violation acts committed before this Act enters into force. 
 
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