WTO UPHOLDS S KOREA'S ANTI-DUMPING DUTIES ON INDONESIA PRINTED MATERIAL.

SEOUL, Oct 1 Asia Pulse - The World Trade Organization (WTO) on Friday released its definitive report upholding anti-dumping duties levied on Indonesian printed material by South Korea.

The Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Energy said the report released for circulation by member countries, rejected Jakarta's position that the punitive duties placed on its products from November 2003 to May of this year were unjust.

"This position backs the WTO's 2005 ruling that supported Seoul's sanctions against uncoated wood-free and information papers," said a government official. The two types of paper are used for regular printing, computer printouts, books and copy machines.

Seoul began a probe into possible unfair price undercutting after receiving complaints from Hansol Paper Co. (KSE:004150), Hankuk Paper Co. (KSE:002300) and three other firms in September 2002.

Anti-dumping duties of 2.80 to 8.22 per cent were slapped on the products of companies belonging to the Asia Pulp & Paper (APP) group and Asia Pacific Resources International (APRIL).

In the original ruling made by the dispute settlement panel, the global trade body said there were some problems in six of the 26 issues raised by Indonesia against South Korea's anti-dumping actions.

In the latest report that checked up on whether Seoul made changes to problems cited, it found shortcomings in two.