Trade, Industry and Energy Minister Paik Un-gyu says he expects no let-up in China’s efforts to keep the South Korean semiconductor industry in check. 

He said China is importing more semiconductor products than oil and thus making significant statewide efforts to secure advanced technologies in semiconductor manufacturing. 

On Tuesday, Paik met with Chinese Commerce Minister Zhong Shan in Beijing and asked for Beijing to deal fairly with South Korean chipmakers during its investigation into price-fixing allegations. China is known to have recently launched a probe into Samsung Electronics, SK Hynix and Micron Technology. 

Paik said the government will try to minimize difficulties South Korean companies are facing in doing businesses in China, but expected it will take time before China takes alleviating measures for them.