Trade, Industry and Energy Minister Paik Un-gyu says the government will continue to actively deal with what he calls unreasonable trade measures against South Korean imports.

Paik told local steel companies Friday Seoul will seek the mediation of the World Trade Organization(WTO) on the matter. 

He said the private sector should join hands with the government in coping with changes in trade environments and said major challenges to local steel makers included global oversupply, lackluster demand and expansion of trade protectionism. 

He said local steel producers should seek structural reforms and develop high value-added products while trying to install environment-friendly production systems.