South Korea's hot-rolled steel market has changed with the emergence of new importers. The country's anti-dumping measures have significantly curbed imports from China, which was a major supplier. As a result, Chinese steel mills and traders have paused their quotes since early August.

This has opened a door for other Asian producers, including those from Vietnam, Indonesia, and Taiwan, to increase their presence. These nations are now actively competing for a larger share of the South Korean market. Among them, Taiwan holds a competitive edge due to lower shipping costs and a reputation for stable product quality and delivery times.

Despite the advantage, Taiwanese suppliers face pressure from South Korean buyers who are pursuing lower costs amid a challenging domestic economic climate and US tariffs, which have led to ongoing price negotiations.