October 24, 2005 – The Japanese government has notified South Korea’s Hynix Semiconductor that it may levy a 27.2% import duty on the company’s chips, based on claims filed by Elpida Memory and Micron Japan alleging Hynix illegally received loans backed by the South Korean government, according to several Japanese newswire reports.

The move comes two months after the initial deadline of a Japanese investigation to decide whether to impose the duties. A final decision is expected by February on the tariffs, which follow more extensive duties already imposed by the US and European Union.

Responding to the news, Hynix said the move had “no basis” since it has already repaid its creditors as part of a debt restructuring program completed in July.

The World Trade Organization (WTO) ruled earlier this year that the US tariffs against Hynix Semiconductor violated trade regulations, a decision later overruled by the WTO’s Appellate Body.