The U.S. Department of Commerce will host a public hearing on its investigation to determine the effect of imports of automobiles and automotive parts on national security.

The hearing, which is set to begin at 8:30 a.m. Thursday at the department in Washington, comes as the Trump administration is moving to slap a 25 percent tariff on auto imports. 

It will feature testimonies from about 45 officials from across the world representing U.S. and foreign companies, industry groups, labor and foreign governments.

South Korea is sending Deputy Trade Minister Kang Sung-chun and officials of Hyundai Motor to the hearing to persuade Washington not to impose tariffs on car imports. 

The deputy minister plans to remind officials that the U.S.' concerns on the auto sector have already been addressed in the negotiations for revising the South Korea-U.S. free trade agreement, while stressing the importance of their bilateral alliance.