According to the latest data released by the General Administration of Customs and compiled by SMM, China's SiMn exports in June 2026 stood at 367.39 mt, down 94.06% MoM and down 68.10% YoY. Total SiMn exports in January-June reached 21,616.28 mt, up 53.65% YoY. The sharp drop in SiMn exports in June was mainly due to three overlapping factors: ensuring domestic supply, weak overseas demand, and holding back from selling amid losses.

On July 14, data from the General Administration of Customs showed that China exported 10.32 million mt of steel in June 2026, down 21,000 mt MoM or 0.2% MoM. Cumulative exports from January to June reached 54.874 million mt, down 5.6% YoY. In June 2026, China imported 441,000 mt of steel, down 10,000 mt MoM or 2.2% MoM. Cumulative imports from January to June were 2.696 million mt, down 11.3% YoY. Table 1: Overview of Steel Imports and Exports, January-June Source: SMM Steel Exports Remained High in June According to SMM's June export production schedule survey, planned HRC export volume for the month stood at 1.05 million mt, slightly lower than actual exports in May, with a relatively limited decline. Meanwhile, SMM export order data showed that steel export orders remained high in mid-April, laying the foundation for high steel exports in May-June. Table 2: China’s Total Steel Exports Source: SMM Steel Imports Stayed Low in June On the import side, steel imports in June were 441,000 mt, down MoM. January-June cumulative imports were 2.696 million mt, down 11.3% YoY. Net steel exports reached 52.178 million mt. Short-Term Steel Export Outlook 1. Global Manufacturing Declined MoM; Domestic New Export Orders Recovered Marginally According to J.P. Morgan global PMI data, the global manufacturing PMI stood at 52.2 in June 2026, still in expansion territory but with momentum slowing for a second consecutive month, mainly due to earlier stockpiling to avoid Middle East shipping risks, while preventive stockpiling demand waned in June. In addition, end-use consumer goods demand in Europe and the US was weak, global export orders fell below the 50 mark, and the ASEAN composite PMI dropped 1 point MoM, with regional sentiment cooling significantly. China's manufacturing new export orders index at 50.1% in June, up 1.5 percentage points MoM, pointed to a marginal recovery in external demand. 2. Supply Outside China Rose MoM; Overall Supply Pressure Intensified Global crude steel production fell 0.3% YoY to 157.9 million mt in May 2026. In China, against a severe backdrop of finished steel destocking falling short of expectations and losses, steel mills proactively brought forward maintenance plans to defensively control output. Excluding China, production in the rest of the world rose 28.8% YoY. The Asian market was unusually resilient, with India's crude steel production recording 14.1 million mt. Meanwhile, Vietnam's production surged 27.2% YoY, driven not by a stress response to trade barriers but by downstream manufacturing entering a concentrated stockpiling phase, coupled with genuine demand from infrastructure projects rushing to meet deadlines ahead of the monsoon season. In contrast, production in the Middle East plunged 19.4% YoY in May, with previous war damage from geopolitical conflicts and wartime energy controls remaining an invisible and heavy ceiling suppressing production resumptions in the region. Production regions in Europe and the US (the US up 9.2% YoY, Germany up 7.3% YoY) maintained relatively active operating rates, supported by new-type data center infrastructure and anticipatory moves to preempt regional trade barriers such as the EU's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM). It is reported that the Middle East recently started offering billet exports and concluded deals. Meanwhile, increased production in India, Vietnam and others also put some pressure on domestic exports. Figure 1: Global Crude Steel Production by Region Source: SMM 3. Price Advantage Narrowed Significantly; Pressure on Export Orders Intensified As of July 16, 2026, HRC export quotations (FOB) for India, Turkey, and the CIS were $510/mt, $408/mt, and $530/mt, respectively, while China's HRC export quotation (FOB) was $493/mt. Currently, China's HRC export quotations are $17/mt, $115/mt, and $37/mt lower than those countries. China's steel export price advantage narrowed significantly MoM from June. The overseas market remained in the off-season, and low-price export promotion remained the main channel for them to relieve domestic pressure. In China, prices remained relatively firm supported by costs. The price spread between Chinese and overseas markets narrowed markedly, intensifying pressure on export orders. Figure 2: HRC Quotations in Major Global Markets Source: SMM 4. Export Orders Remained at Low Levels in May-June; A Sudden Increase Is Difficult According to SMM's latest steel mill export order schedule, planned HRC exports for this month totaled 1.059 million mt, up 5.2% MoM from actual exports last month. SMM's steel export order data showed that due to the ongoing overseas off-season and consecutive overseas price declines, steel export orders in May-June declined significantly MoM from the previous period. Figure 3: SMM Steel Export Order Volumes Source: SMM 5. Anti-Dumping Cases with Impact Increased in June New anti-dumping related cases in China increased in June, involving products such as steel pipes, coated sheets, cold-rolled, stainless steel, hot-rolled, and medium-thickness plates. Details of the cases and their impact volumes are shown in the table below. Table 3: New Anti-Dumping Cases in June Source: SMM Overall, against the backdrop of the overseas off-season coupled with a narrowing price advantage, the weakness in earlier export orders may gradually be reflected in export data. SMM expects that actual steel exports in July will face some downward pressure. However, as overseas prices continue to pull back and hit bottom, some new procurement demand may be released. Figure 4: Steel Exports and Forecast, 2024-2026 Source: SMM Source Declaration: All data other than publicly available information is processed by SMM based on public information, market communication, and SMM's internal database models, and is for reference only and does not constitute any decision-making advice. Note: This article is original content of this official account. If you need to reprint, whitelist, or cooperate, please contact us. Without permission, no one may reprint, modify, use, sell, transfer, display, translate, compile, disseminate, or otherwise disclose the above content to any third party or permit any third party to use it. Otherwise, Shanghai Metals Market (SMM) will pursue legal liability for infringement, including but not limited to claiming contractual breach of contract liability, disgorgement of unjust enrichment, and compensation for direct and indirect economic losses. Scan to Get Free Information

JSW Steel reported consolidated crude steel production of 6.59 million tonnes for the June quarter, up 3% year-on-year. This includes 6.35 million tonnes from Indian operations and 240,000 tonnes from its Ohio plant. A lengthy maintenance shutdown of Blast Furnace 3 at Vijayanagar limited overall growth. Excluding this, production grew around 15%, driven by full ramp-up of JVML and improved utilization at Dolvi. Domestic operations maintained 94% capacity utilization during the quarter. The quarterly comparison excludes Bhushan Power and Steel, transferred to JSW-JFE Steel in March 2026.

Shanghai Metals Market (SMM) is thrilled to announce that we will hold the 2026 SMM ASEAN Ferrous Metals Summit from November 26-27, 2026 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. This event is the premium platform in the ASEAN ferrous metals market that converge 400+ decision-makers from mines, mills, trading houses, processors, equipment and technology providers, and logistics operators at the same table — precisely when the regional order is being rewritten. Conference Background The ASEAN steel industry is undergoing profound transformation , driven by strong demand growth, capacity expansion, shifting trade flows, and increasingly complex trade policies. Steel apparent consumption across the six major ASEAN economies exceeded 81 million tonnes in 2024 and is projected to reach 87.9 million tonnes in 2026, up 2.6% from 2025 and 8.2% from 2024. Vietnam was the region’s fastestgrowing market in 2024 , expanding by over 21%, while Vietnam, Indonesia, and the Philippines are expected to lead incremental demand in 2026 . Demand continues to expand. In 2024, apparent steel consumption in the six major ASEAN economies exceeded 81 million mt, and is expected to reach 87.9 million mt by 2026. Vietnam posted over 21% growth in 2024 and will lead regional growth. Capacity is expanding rapidly. In 2025, ASEAN crude steel production surpassed 60 million mt and is forecast to reach 90.6 million mt by 2030, making it the fastest-growing region globally. However, the import penetration rate remains above 60%, and steel imports rose by 5 million mt in 2025. The capacity structure is undergoing profound transformation: the BF-BOF share rose from 6% in 2011 to 30% in 2020, Indonesia and Vietnam jointly control 74% of crude steel production, and Chinese steelmakers’ overseas investments are mainly concentrated in these two countries. Trade flows are being reshaped. In 2024, China exported 28.219 million mt of steel to ASEAN, up 29.3% YoY; in H1 2025, steel billet exports surged to 5.89 million mt, up 300.3% YoY. In March 2026, Vietnam suspended slab exports, and the ASEAN supply gap is estimated at 2.3 million mt. Price stratification has emerged: Vietnam became the regional low-price zone ($482/mt), Japan and South Korea dominate the high-end market, Malaysia recorded a cumulative 78.9% increase over three years, absorbing spillover demand, while Indonesia’s average price bucked the trend, rising to $522/mt, with imports clearly focusing on high-end products. Expanded supply and demand, capacity iteration, trade restructuring, and price spread divergence—multiple variables are intertwining. The industry urgently needs a high-level dialogue platform to identify pain points and uncover business opportunities. Conference Highlights 1. ASEAN Steel Market Outlook An in-depth analysis of regional steel demand, with consumption expected to reach 87.9 million mt in 2026, driven primarily by Vietnam, Indonesia, and the Philippines. 2. China—ASEAN Trade and Supply Chain Restructuring Exploring shifting flows of HRC, billet, slab, and other steel products amid changing supply patterns, trade remedies, and regional market dynamics. 3. Capacity Expansion and Production Transition Examining ASEAN’s evolving steelmaking landscape, including BF-BOF capacity growth, EAF development, overseas investment, and new regional production hubs. 4. Trade Policies and Market Access Assessing anti-dumping measures, tariffs, RCEP-related opportunities, and regulatory changes reshaping steel trade across ASEAN. 5. High-Growth Demand and Product Opportunities Identifying opportunities from infrastructure, construction, automotive, and advanced steel applications, with a focus on Indonesia, Vietnam, and other emerging markets. 6. Executive Networking and Regional Cooperation Connecting leading producers, traders, buyers, investors, associations, policymakers, and industry experts across ASEAN, China, and global markets. Scenes from Past Conferences Conference Agenda Companies to Be Invited The companies we will invite for this conference cover various segments of the ferrous metals value chain, indluding Steel Mills/Smelters (42) Trader / Steel Processing & Trading（12） Metallurgical Equipment / Engineering Technology（5） Refractory Materials / Auxiliary Materials（2） Electrodes / Carbon Products（3） Associations / Institutions（9） International（1） Technology / Digitalization（6） Digital Platform / Green Steel（1） Carbon Trading / Green Finance（1） Consulting（1） Investment / Finance（1） Downstream Steel Application（3） Engineering Construction（1） Composition Structure Ticket Prices Contact: Horin Dong WhatsApp: +8618721310824 Email: horindong@smm.cn Scan the QR code for conference details and more discount information

★ macro ★ 01 ★★ [The central bank achieved a net withdrawal of 278.5 billion yuan from open market operations.] The central bank conducted 10 billion yuan of 7-day reverse repo operations today, with a bid volume of 10 billion yuan and an allotment volume of 10 billion yuan, at an operation rate of 1.40%, unchanged from the previous level. As 288.5 billion yuan of 7-day reverse repos matured today, a net withdrawal of 278.5 billion yuan was achieved on the day. 02 ★★★ [NBS: June Consumer Prices Rose 1.0% YoY] Data from the NBS showed that in June 2026, the national CPI rose 1.0% YoY. Urban areas rose 1.0%, rural areas rose 0.8%; food prices fell 1.6%, non-food prices rose 1.5%; consumer goods prices rose 1.1%, services prices rose 0.8%. In H1, the national CPI rose 1.0% YoY. In June, the national CPI fell 0.3% MoM. Urban prices fell 0.4%, rural prices fell 0.3%; food prices fell 0.4%, non-food prices fell 0.3%; consumer goods prices fell 0.6%, services prices remained flat. 03 ★★★ [ [NBS: June Industrial Producer Prices Rose 4.1% YoY] ] Data from the NBS showed that in June 2026, the national PPI rose 4.1% YoY and fell 0.3% MoM. Industrial producer purchasing prices rose 6.4% YoY and fell 0.2% MoM. In H1, industrial producer prices rose 1.5% YoY, and industrial producer purchasing prices rose 2.4%. ★ Industry and Downstream ★ 01 ★★★ [Zhejiang Activates Level IV Typhoon Emergency Response] The 9th typhoon of this year, Bavi, was located on the ocean surface about 1,210 kilometers east-southeast of Keelung City, Taiwan, at 5:00 a.m. on July 9, with maximum sustained winds of Force 16 near its center (super typhoon). It is forecast to move northwest at about 15–20 km/h, gradually turning to move northwest tonight, and gradually approaching the waters east of Taiwan. Affected by Bavi, winds in the southern East China Sea will gradually strengthen to Force 8–11 on the night of the 9th. According to the Zhejiang Provincial Emergency Plan for Flood Control, Typhoon Prevention and Drought Relief and the work plan for defending against Typhoon Bavi, after assessment and consultation, the Zhejiang Provincial Flood Control and Typhoon Prevention Headquarters decided at 9:00 a.m. on July 9 to adjust the maritime typhoon emergency response to a Level IV typhoon emergency response. 02 ★★ [H1 NEV Production and Sales Both Exceeded 7 Million Units] On July 9, the latest data released by CAAM showed that from January to June this year, China’s NEV market saw steady growth in production and sales as well as exports. NEV production and sales totaled 7.438 million units and 7.446 million units, up 6.7% YoY and 7.3% YoY, respectively; in June, NEV new-vehicle sales accounted for nearly 60% of total new-vehicle sales. On the export front, from January to June, auto exports reached 5.096 million units, up 65.3% YoY. Of this, NEV exports were 2.355 million units, up 1.2 times YoY. 03 ★★ [China Index Academy: Full-Year Floor Space of Newly Built Commercial Buildings Sold Is Expected to Fall 7.8% YoY] China Index Academy released Summary of China’s Real Estate Market in H1 2026 & Trend Outlook for H2, expecting that in H2, policies on both the supply and demand sides will continue to gain traction, and stabilizing home prices may become a key focus. Overall, the real estate market remains in the process of consolidating at lows, and the market recovery will continue to show divergent characteristics. Looking ahead to H2, the second-hand housing market in core cities is expected to maintain a certain level of activity; sustained improvement in transactions, together with a stabilization in listings, will further narrow the pace of price declines, and the foundation for price stabilization in some cities will gradually strengthen. For new homes, affected by a low base in the same period of 2025, the YoY decline in nationwide new-home sales in H2 is expected to narrow gradually, but a comprehensive market recovery will still take time. 04 ★★★ [Shipbuilders’ Orders Scheduled Through 2030, Industry Sees Clear Upcycle Opportunities] Riding the wave of the global shipbuilding industry’s recovery, China’s shipbuilding sector is seeing clear upcycle opportunities. In H1, Hengli Heavy Industry signed 207 new vessel orders, with cumulative orders on hand exceeding 500 vessels, and its delivery schedule has been locked in through 2030; China State Shipbuilding’s delivery cycle is also scheduled through 2030; and Sumec’s newly won orders in Q1 2026 surged by more than 600% YoY. Overall, orders at leading shipbuilders in China are generally full, and industry dividends are being released. Amid the high-prosperity cycle, potential risks also warrant attention. Analysts noted that overly rapid capacity expansion under optimistic sentiment should be guarded against. In addition, variables such as trade policy disruptions, divergence in segmented demand, and shortcomings in fuel technologies may constrain the industry’s upside room and profitability. 05 ★★ [ Mongolia’s Coal Exports Reached 59.21 Million mt in H1 2026 ] According to statistical data released by Mongolia’s customs authorities, from January to June 2026, Mongolia’s cumulative coal exports totaled 59.2149 million mt, with average monthly coal exports close to 10 million mt, an increase of 21.34 million mt compared to the same period last year, up 56.3% YoY. Among them, hard coal exports were 56.8428 million mt, up 62.0% YoY; lignite exports were 2.3721 million mt, down 15.2% YoY. In June, Mongolia’s coal exports continued to surge, with monthly exports reaching 10.3057 million mt, up 69.0% YoY and up 4.8% MoM. Of this, hard coal exports stood at 9.9272 million mt, up 72.7% YoY and up 4.3% MoM; lignite exports were 378,400 mt, up 8.8% YoY and up 17.8% MoM. ★ Other Hot Topics ★ ⭕ [Tata Steel’s Q1 FY2027 India Crude Steel Production at 5.82 Million mt] Indian steelmaker Tata Steel Group released its production and delivery data for Q1 FY2027 (April 1, 2026 to June 30, 2026). Tata Steel India’s crude steel production reached 5.82 million mt, down about 6% MoM and up 11% YoY, primarily driven by higher output at the Jamshedpur and Kalinganagar plants; during the same period, its India deliveries stood at 5.17 million mt, down about 16% MoM and up about 9% YoY, with domestic deliveries up 11% YoY. ⭕[Fangda Jiugang Successfully Trial-Rolls 36mm Large-Size HG6E/C High-Strength Seismic Rebar] Recently, Fangda Jiugang successfully trial-rolled 36mm large-size HG6E/C high-strength seismic rebar for the first time. Testing shows that all performance indicators, dimensional accuracy, and surface quality comply with relevant standards, marking a major breakthrough in the high-end construction steel segment for the enterprise. HG6E/C is a 635MPa-grade ultra-high-strength seismic rebar, a high-grade, high-end specialty steel for construction, offering significant comprehensive advantages over conventional rebar used in general engineering. ⭕ [Tsingshan Special Material Stainless Steel Deep-Processing Project Commissioned] The “Four-Chain” Integration Promotion Meeting for the stainless steel industry chain and the Tsingshan Special Material Launch & Development Conference were held in Zhouning County. Attendees included Xiang Guangda, Chairman of Tsingshan Holding Group; Zhang Jimin, Chairman of Xintuo Group; Zhang Longqiang, Deputy Secretary General of the China Iron and Steel Association (CISA) and Party Secretary and President of the Metallurgical Industry Information and Standards Research Institute; Li Yan, Member of the Standing Committee of the Municipal Party Committee and Executive Vice Mayor; Wang Qingjie, Executive President of the Stainless Steel Branch of CISA; Zhang Luyao, Chairman of Fujian Tsingshan Special Materials Co., Ltd.; Lei Chunxiong, Secretary of the County Party Committee; Yang Chenxia, Director of the Comprehensive Division of the Provincial Department of Industry and Information Technology; and Zheng Jinsi, Deputy Director of the Municipal Bureau of Industry and Information Technology. The meeting was chaired by Chen Dongyue, Deputy Secretary of the County Party Committee, Secretary of the Party Leadership Group of the County Government, and Acting County Magistrate. * This report is an original work and/or compilation of SMM Information & Technology Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as "SMM"), and SMM holds the copyright in accordance with the Copyright Law of the People's Republic of China and other applicable laws, regulations, and international treaties. Without written permission, no one may reproduce, modify, sell, transfer, display, translate, compile, and disseminate or otherwise disclose the above content to any third party or permit any third party to use it. Once discovered, SMM will pursue legal liability for infringement, including but not limited to demanding the assumption of contractual liability for breach of contract, restitution of unjust enrichment, and compensation for direct and indirect economic losses. 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Once discovered, SMM will pursue legal liability for infringement, including but not limited to demanding the assumption of contractual liability for breach of contract, restitution of unjust enrichment, and compensation for direct and indirect economic losses. The views in this report are based on information collected from the market and a comprehensive assessment by the SMM research team. The information provided in this report is for reference only, and risks are borne by the user. This report does not constitute direct investment research advice. Clients should make prudent decisions and not replace their independent judgment with this report. Any decision made by clients has nothing to do with SMM. Furthermore, any losses or liabilities resulting from unauthorized and illegal use of the views in this report have nothing to do with SMM. SMM reserves the right to modify and the final interpretation of the terms of this statement.

IIn June 2026, POSCO held a completion ceremony for its Electric Arc Furnace (EAF) at the Gwangyang steelworks on South Korea's southern coast, approximately 360 kilometers from Seoul, and has initiated the full-scale production of low-carbon steel. With an annual designed capacity of 2.5 million tons , this EAF is the largest single facility of its kind in South Korea. This marks POSCO's first large-scale upstream steelmaking investment in over two decades, signaling the beginning of a structural adjustment to its blast furnace-centric production system. Against the backdrop of the EU's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) entering its definitive payment stage and the tightening of Phase 4 of the Korea Emissions Trading Scheme (K-ETS), the strategic significance of this project outweighs the sheer capacity itself. Project Details & Commissioning Timeline The special significance of this project lies in its time span: since the blow-in of Blast Furnace No. 5 at the Gwangyang plant in April 2000, POSCO had not invested in major upstream steelmaking capacity for over 20 years. This pivot to EAFs represents the first directional shift in its blast furnace-centric hot metal production system in half a century. Regarding technical configuration, the EAF primarily utilizes steel scrap as its raw material, substituting the traditional iron ore-coke reduction route of the blast furnace through scrap melting. This shift achieves up to 75% CO2 emission reductions compared to traditional blast furnaces. The core equipment is supplied by Italy's Tenova, featuring the Consteel continuous scrap charging system and the Consterrer electromagnetic stirring system. POSCO also utilizes the off-gas generated during EAF operations to preheat the scrap, thereby enhancing energy efficiency. The completion ceremony was attended by South Korean Prime Minister Kim Min-seok and POSCO Group Chairman Jang In-hwa. Key Timeline Market Impact Post-Commissioning In the short term, the direct market impact of this EAF is relatively mild; its value is predominantly structural and strategic. This can be analyzed through three key threads: raw materials, products, and regulations. Scrap Market — Gradual demand release, but with a cautious pace: In the initial stage of commissioning, POSCO plans to primarily consume internally generated scrap at the Gwangyang plant, keeping external purchases limited; the company estimates external scrap purchases in 2026 to be approximately 2 million tons . Because the green steel market has grown slower than previously expected, scrap consumption in the short term may remain relatively restrained. This means the EAF's upward pull on South Korean and regional scrap prices will be gradual, rather than causing a significant demand spike in the year of commissioning. Entering High-End Flat Products via Hot Metal Blending: POSCO's differentiated approach relies on "hot metal blending" technology, which mixes and refines molten steel from the EAF with hot metal from the blast furnace to lower carbon emissions while maintaining the steel quality required for high-end products. The company has designated high-grade EAF steel as one of its eight strategic products and established an integrated R&D, production, and sales project team, aiming to mass-produce automotive sheets and electrical steel by 2030. This directly addresses the growing demand for low-carbon steel from downstream automotive and electrical clients, distinguishing POSCO's EAF route from ordinary long-product EAF capacities. Regulation & Competition — Low-carbon capacity as a hedge for export competitiveness: The timing of the commissioning is highly aligned with tightening global regulations. The EU CBAM entered its definitive stage on January 1, 2026, requiring imported steel to incur fees for its embodied carbon emissions. This obligation ratio will increase annually from about 2.5% in 2026 to 100% by 2034 (corresponding to the synchronized phase-out of free allowances within the EU). For export-oriented South Korean steelmakers, low-carbon capacity acts as a hedging tool to maintain competitiveness in the European market. Overall, the Gwangyang EAF will not significantly alter POSCO's production volume structure or overall carbon footprint in its first year— 2.5 million tons represents a limited share relative to its total crude steel production. Its true significance lies in establishing a low-carbon product line and corresponding client relationships ahead of the commercialization of hydrogen-reduction steelmaking. It is a layout where the "option value" exceeds the "current capacity value." Global Steel Decarbonization Background The steel industry accounts for approximately 7%–9% of global CO2 emissions (World Steel Association data), making it one of the hardest-to-abate heavy industries. The root of the emission disparities lies in the steelmaking routes: the traditional Blast Furnace-Basic Oxygen Furnace (BF-BOF) process relies on coking coal as energy and a reducing agent, making it the most carbon-intensive route; whereas the Scrap-EAF route relies primarily on electricity, making it the most mature route with the lowest carbon intensity. However, the practical constraint on route transition lies in the existing capacity structure. Within global crude steel production, the BF-BOF route still accounts for roughly 72% ; scrap-based EAF accounts for about 21% , with the remainder being Direct Reduced Iron-EAF (DRI-EAF) and other routes. China, accounting for over half of global production with a nearly 90% blast furnace share, has become the critical variable determining the pace of global steel decarbonization. Targeting the 2050 net-zero goal, mainstream pathways require the production structure to significantly tilt toward EAFs and hydrogen-based direct reduction. Yet, the transition is bottlenecked by a triple constraint: the supply and availability of high-quality scrap, the scaling up of green electricity, and the cost premium of low-carbon steel over traditional products. POSCO's "two-step" arrangement—using EAF as a transition and HyREX hydrogen reduction as the endgame—is a quintessential choice within this global landscape. South Korean Steelmakers' Decarbonization Efforts The decarbonization of the South Korean steel industry is not a solo endeavor by a single enterprise. As early as February 2021, six South Korean steelmakers, including POSCO and Hyundai Steel, jointly issued a 2050 Carbon Neutrality Declaration and established the "Green Steel Committee," comprising industry, academia, research institutions, and government departments. Since then, driven by the dual pressures of policy constraints (K-ETS Phase 4, South Korea's Nationally Determined Contributions - NDC) and external forces (CBAM), each company has formed decarbonization layouts with similar trajectories but different focuses. The common logic for both companies is clear: currently employing "transitional technologies" such as EAFs and hot metal blending to reduce the carbon footprint of products, introducing hydrogen-based direct reduction around 2030, and targeting 2050 for a full transition. The differences lie in their entry points—POSCO is betting on its self-developed HyREX as the core for the hydrogen metallurgy endgame, whereas Hyundai Steel, under its Hy-Cube brand, aims to commercialize high-end flat EAF products (like automotive sheets) much earlier. The commissioning of the Gwangyang EAF is precisely a quantifiable, deliverable milestone in this overarching transition process.