Corrosion-Resistant Carbon Steel Flat Products From the Republic of Korea: Preliminary Results and Partial Rescission of Countervailing Duty Administrative Review, 55745-55754 [2010-22901]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
• International Trade Administration

[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 177 (Tuesday, September 14, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 55745-55754]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-22901]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

International Trade Administration

[C-580-818]


Corrosion-Resistant Carbon Steel Flat Products From the Republic 
of Korea: Preliminary Results and Partial Rescission of Countervailing 
Duty Administrative Review

AGENCY: Import Administration, International Trade Administration, 
Department of Commerce.
SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce (the Department) is conducting an 
administrative review of the countervailing duty (CVD) order on 
corrosion-resistant carbon steel flat products (CORE) from the Republic 
of Korea (Korea) for the period of review (POR) January 1, 2008, 
through December 31, 2008. As a result of withdrawals of request for 
review, we are rescinding this review, in part, with respect to Dongbu 
Steel Co., Ltd. (Dongbu) and Pohang Iron and Steel Co., Ltd. (POSCO). 
For information on the net subsidy for Hyundai HYSCO Ltd. (HYSCO) the 
company reviewed, see the ``Preliminary Results of Review'' section of 
this notice. Interested parties are invited to comment on these 
preliminary results. See the ``Public Comment'' section of this notice.

DATES: Effective Date: September 14, 2010.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gayle Longest, AD/CVD Operations, 
Office 3, Import Administration, International Trade Administration,

[[Page 55746]]

U.S. Department of Commerce, Room 4014, 14th Street and Constitution 
Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20230; telephone: (202) 482-3338.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    On August 17, 1993, the Department published in the Federal 
Register the CVD order on CORE from Korea. See Countervailing Duty 
Orders and Amendments of Final Affirmative Countervailing Duty 
Determinations: Certain Steel Products from Korea, 58 FR 43752 (August 
17, 1993). On August 3, 2009, the Department published a notice of 
opportunity to request an administrative review of this CVD order. See 
Antidumping or Countervailing Duty Order, Finding, or Suspended 
Investigation: Opportunity To Request Administrative Review, 74 FR 
38397 (August 3, 2009).
    On August 31, 2009, we received a timely request for review from 
Dongbu Steel Co., Ltd. (Dongbu), Hyundai HYSCO Ltd. (HYSCO), and Pohang 
Iron and Steel Co., Ltd. (POSCO). On September 22, 2009, the Department 
published a notice of initiation of the administrative review of the 
CVD order on CORE from Korea covering the period January 1, 2008, 
through December 31, 2008. See Initiation of Antidumping and 
Countervailing Duty Administrative Reviews and Requests for Revocation 
in Part (Initiation), 74 FR 48224 (September 22, 2009). On October 14, 
2009, and October 23, 2009, POSCO and Dongbu withdrew their requests 
for review, respectively.
    Under 19 CFR 351.213(d)(1), the Department will rescind an 
administrative review, in whole or in part, if a party that requested a 
review withdraws the request within 90 days of the date of publication 
of the notice of initiation of the requested review.
    The Initiation was published on September 22, 2009. Dongbu and 
POSCO submitted timely requests for withdrawal on October 14, 2009, and 
October 23, 2009, respectively. No other party requested administrative 
reviews of Dongbu and POSCO. Therefore, we are rescinding, in part, 
this review of the countervailing duty order of CORE from Korea with 
regard to Dongbu and POSCO.
    On November 2, 2009, the Department issued the initial 
questionnaire to HYSCO, and the Government of Korea (GOK). On December 
22, 2009, the Department received questionnaire responses from HYSCO 
and the GOK. On February 17, 2010, and July 13, 2010, the Department 
issued supplemental questionnaires to GOK and HYSCO. On March 17, 2010, 
and August 6, 2010, the Department received supplemental questionnaire 
responses from the GOK and HYSCO. On April 9, 2010, the Department 
published in the Federal Register an extension of its preliminary 
results of the instant administrative review. See Corrosion-Resistant 
Carbon Steel Flat Products from the Republic of Korea: Notice of 
Extension of Preliminary Results of Countervailing Duty Administrative 
Review, 75 FR 18153 (April 9, 2010).
    In accordance with 19 CFR 351.213(b), this review covers only those 
producers or exporters for which a review was specifically requested. 
The company that continues to be subject to this review is HYSCO.

Scope of Order

    Products covered by this order are certain corrosion-resistant 
carbon steel flat products from Korea. These products include flat-
rolled carbon steel products, of rectangular shape, either clad, 
plated, or coated with corrosion-resistant metals such as zinc, 
aluminum, or zinc-, aluminum-, nickel- or iron-based alloys, whether or 
not corrugated or painted, varnished or coated with plastics or other 
nonmetallic substances in addition to the metallic coating, in coils 
(whether or not in successively superimposed layers) and of a width of 
0.5 inch or greater, or in straight lengths which, if of a thickness 
less than 4.75 millimeters, are of a width of 0.5 inch or greater and 
which measures at least 10 times the thickness or if of a thickness of 
4.75 millimeters or more are of a width which exceeds 150 millimeters 
and measures at least twice the thickness. The merchandise subject to 
this order is currently classifiable in the Harmonized Tariff Schedule 
of the United States (HTSUS) at subheadings: 7210.30.0000, 
7210.31.0000, 7210.39.0000, 7210.41.0000, 7210.49.0030, 7210.49.0090, 
7210.60.0000, 7210.61.0000, 7210.70.6030, 7210.70.6060, 7210.70.6090, 
7210.90.1000, 7210.90.6000, 7210.90.9000, 7212.20.0000, 7212.21.0000, 
7212.29.0000, 7212.30.1030, 7212.30.1090, 7212.30.3000, 7212.30.5000, 
7212.40.1000, 7212.40.5000, 7212.50.0000, 7212.60.0000, 7215.90.1000, 
7215.9030, 7215.90.5000, 7217.12.1000, 7217.13.1000, 7217.19.1000, 
7217.19.5000, 7217.20.1500, 7217.22.5000, 7217.23.5000, 7217.29.1000, 
7217.29.5000, 7217.30.15.0000, 7217.32.5000, 7217.33.5000, 
7217.39.1000, 7217.39.5000, 7217.90.1000 and 7217.90.5000. Although the 
HTSUS subheadings are provided for convenience and customs purposes, 
the Department's written description of the merchandise is dispositive.

Average Useful Life

    Under 19 CFR 351.524(d)(2), we will presume the allocation period 
for non-recurring subsidies to be the average useful life (AUL) of 
renewable physical assets for the industry concerned as listed in the 
Internal Revenue Service's (IRS) 1997 Class Life Asset Depreciation 
Range System, as updated by the Department of the Treasury. The 
presumption will apply unless a party claims and establishes that the 
IRS tables do not reasonably reflect the company-specific AUL or the 
country-wide AUL for the industry under examination and that the 
difference between the company-specific and/or country-wide AUL and the 
AUL from the IRS tables is significant. According to the IRS tables, 
the AUL of the steel industry is 15 years. No interested party 
challenged the 15-year AUL derived from the IRS tables. Thus, in this 
review, we have allocated, where applicable, all of the non-recurring 
subsidies provided to the producers/exporters of subject merchandise 
over a 15-year AUL.

Subsidies Valuation Information

A. Benchmarks for Short-Term Financing

    For those programs requiring the application of a won-denominated, 
short-term interest rate benchmark, in accordance with 19 CFR 
351.505(a)(2)(iv), we used as our benchmark the company-specific 
weighted-average interest rate for commercial won-denominated loans 
outstanding during the POR. This approach is in accordance with 19 CFR 
351.505(a)(3)(i) and the Department's practice. See, e.g., Corrosion-
Resistant Carbon Steel Flat Products From the Republic of Korea: Final 
Results of Countervailing Duty Administrative Review, 74 FR 2512 
(January 15, 2009) (Final Results of CORE from Korea 2006), and 
accompanying Issues and Decision Memorandum (CORE from Korea 2006 
Decision Memorandum) at ``Benchmarks for Short-Term Financing.''

B. Benchmark for Long-Term Loans

    During the POR, HYSCO had outstanding countervailable long-term 
won-denominated loans from government-owned banks and Korean commercial 
banks. We used the following benchmarks to calculate the subsidies 
attributable to respondents'

[[Page 55747]]

countervailable long-term loans obtained through 2008:
    (1) For countervailable, won-denominated long-term loans, we used, 
where available, the company-specific interest rates on the company's 
comparable commercial, won-denominated loans. If such loans were not 
available, we used, where available, the company-specific corporate 
bond rate on the company's public and private bonds, as we have 
determined that the GOK did not control the Korean domestic bond market 
after 1991. See, e.g., Final Negative Countervailing Duty 
Determination: Stainless Steel Plate in Coils from the Republic of 
Korea, 64 FR 15530, 15531 (March 31, 1999) (Stainless Steel 
Investigation) and ``Analysis Memorandum on the Korean Domestic Bond 
Market'' (March 9, 1999). The use of a corporate bond rate as a long-
term benchmark interest rate is consistent with the approach the 
Department has taken in several prior Korean CVD proceedings. See Id.; 
see also Final Affirmative Countervailing Duty Determination: 
Structural Steel Beams from the Republic of Korea (H Beams 
Investigation), 65 FR 41051 (July 3, 2000), and accompanying Issues and 
Decision Memorandum at ``Benchmark Interest Rates and Discount Rates;'' 
and Final Affirmative Countervailing Duty Determination: Dynamic Random 
Access Memory Semiconductors from the Republic of Korea, 68 FR 37122 
(June 23, 2003) (DRAMS Investigation), and accompanying Issues and 
Decision Memorandum at ``Discount Rates and Benchmark for Loans.'' 
Specifically, in those cases, we determined that, absent company-
specific, commercial long-term loan interest rates, the won-denominated 
corporate bond rate is the best indicator of the commercial long-term 
borrowing rates for won-denominated loans in Korea because it is widely 
accepted as the market rate in Korea. See Final Affirmative 
Countervailing Duty Determinations and Final Negative Critical 
Circumstances Determinations: Certain Steel Products from Korea, 58 FR 
at 37328, 37345-37346 (July 9, 1993) (Steel Products from Korea). Where 
company-specific rates were not available, we used the national average 
of the yields on three-year, won-denominated corporate bonds, as 
reported by the Bank of Korea (BOK). This approach is consistent with 
19 CFR 351.505(a)(3)(ii) and our practice. See, e.g., CORE from Korea 
2006 Decision Memorandum at ``Benchmark for Long Term Loans.''
    In accordance with 19 CFR 351.505(a)(2)(i), our benchmarks take 
into consideration the structure of the government-provided loans. For 
countervailable fixed-rate loans, pursuant to 19 CFR 
351.505(a)(2)(iii), we used benchmark rates issued in the same year 
that the government loans were issued.

I. Programs Determined To Be Countervailable

A. Short-Term Export Financing

    Export-Import Bank of Korea (KEXIM) supplies two types of short-
term loans for exporting companies, short-term trade financing and 
comprehensive export financing. See the GOK's December 22, 2009, 
questionnaire response (QR) at Exhibit J-1. KEXIM provides short-term 
loans to Korean exporters that manufacture goods under export 
contracts. Id. The loans are provided up to the amount of the bill of 
exchange or contracted amount, less any amount already received. Id. 
For comprehensive export financing loans, KEXIM supplies short-term 
loans to any small or medium-sized company, or any large company that 
is not included in the five largest conglomerates based on their 
comprehensive export performance. Id. To obtain the loans, companies 
must report their export performance periodically to KEXIM for review. 
Id. Comprehensive export financing loans cover from 50 to 90 percent of 
the company's export performance. Id.
    In Steel Products from Korea, the Department determined that the 
GOK's short-term export financing program was countervailable. See 
Final Affirmative Countervailing Duty Determinations and Final Negative 
Critical Circumstances Determinations: Certain Steel Products From 
Korea, 58 FR 37338, 37350 (July 9, 1993) (Steel Products from Korea); 
see also Notice of Final Affirmative Countervailing Duty Determination: 
Certain Cold-Rolled Carbon Steel Flat Products From the Republic of 
Korea, 67 FR 62102, (October 3, 2002) (Cold-Rolled Investigation), and 
accompanying Issues and Decision Memorandum (Cold-Rolled Decision 
Memorandum) at ``Short-Term Export Financing'' section. No new 
information or evidence of changed circumstances was presented in this 
review to warrant any reconsideration of the countervailability of this 
program. Therefore, we continue to find this program countervailable. 
Specifically, we determine that the export financing constitutes a 
financial contribution in the form of a loan within the meaning of 
section 771(5)(D)(i) of the Act and confers a benefit within the 
meaning of section 771(5)(E)(ii) of the Act to the extent that the 
amount of interest the respondents paid for export financing under this 
program was less than the amount of interest that would have been paid 
on a comparable short-term commercial loan. See discussion above in the 
``Subsidies Valuation Information'' section with respect to short-term 
loan benchmark interest rates. In addition, we preliminarily determine 
that the program is specific, pursuant to section 771(5A)(A) of the 
Act, because receipt of the financing is contingent upon exporting. 
HYSCO reported using short-term export financing during the POR.
    Pursuant to 19 CFR 351.505(a)(1), to calculate the benefit under 
this program, we compared the amount of interest paid under the program 
to the amount of interest that would have been paid on a comparable 
commercial loan. As our benchmark, we used the short-term interest 
rates discussed above in the ``Subsidies Valuation Information'' 
section. To calculate the net subsidy rate, we divided the benefit by 
the free on board (f.o.b.) value of the respective company's total 
exports. On this basis, we determine the net subsidy rate to be 0.03 
percent ad valorem for HYSCO.

B. Reduction in Taxes for Operation in Regional and National Industrial 
Complexes

    Under Article 46 of the Industrial Cluster Development and Factory 
Establishment Act (Industrial Cluster Act), a state or local government 
may provide tax exemptions as prescribed by the Restriction of Special 
Taxation Act. In accordance with this authority, Article 276 of the 
Local Tax Act provides that an entity that acquires real estate in a 
designated industrial complex for the purpose of constructing new 
buildings or enlarging existing facilities is exempt from the 
acquisition and registration tax. In addition, the entity is exempt 
from 50 percent of the property tax on the real estate (i.e., the land, 
buildings, or facilities constructed or expanded) for five years from 
the date the tax liability becomes effective. The exemption is 
increased to 100 percent of the relevant land, buildings, or facilities 
that are located in an industrial complex outside of the Seoul 
metropolitan area. The GOK established the tax exemption program under 
Article 276 in December 1994, to provide incentives for companies to 
relocate from populated areas in the Seoul metropolitan region to 
industrial sites in less populated parts of the country. The program is 
administered by the local tax officials of the county where the 
industrial complex is located.
    During the POR, pursuant to Article 276 of the Local Tax Act, HYSCO 
received exemptions from the

[[Page 55748]]

acquisition tax, registration tax, and property tax based on the 
location of its manufacturing facilities, Suncheon Works, in the 
Yulchon Industrial Complex, a government-sponsored industrial complex 
designated under the Industrial Cluster Act. In addition, HYSCO 
received an exemption from the local education tax during the POR. The 
local education tax is levied at 20 percent of the property tax. The 
property tax exemption, therefore, results in an exemption of the local 
education tax.
    In the CFS Paper Investigation, the Department determined that the 
tax exemptions under Article 276 of the Local Tax Act are 
countervailable subsidies. See Coated Free Sheet Paper from the 
Republic of Korea: Notice of Final Affirmative Countervailing Duty 
Determination, 72 FR 60639 (October 25, 2007) (CFS Paper 
Investigation), and accompanying Issues and Decision Memorandum at 
``Reduction in Taxes for Operation in Regional and National Industrial 
Complexes'' (CFS Paper Decision Memorandum). No new information or 
evidence of changed circumstances from HYSCO or the GOK was presented 
in this review to warrant a reconsideration of the countervailability 
of this program. We, therefore, continue to find this program 
countervailable. Specifically, we preliminarily find that the tax 
exemptions that HYSCO received constitute a financial contribution and 
confer a benefit under sections 771(5)(D)(ii) and 771(5)(E) of the Act, 
respectively. We further preliminarily find that the tax exemptions are 
regionally specific under section 771(5A)(D)(iv) of the Act because the 
exemptions are limited to an enterprise or industry located within 
designated geographical regions in Korea.
    To calculate the benefit, we divided HYSCO's total tax exemptions 
by the company's total f.o.b. sales value for 2008. On this basis, we 
preliminarily determine the net subsidy rate to be less than 0.005 
percent ad valorem, which consistent with the Department's practice, 
does not confer a measurable benefit and is not included in the 
calculation of the net countervailable rate. See, e.g., CORE from Korea 
2006 Decision Memorandum at ``GOK's Direction of Credit'' section.

C. GOK's Direction of Credit for Loans Issued Prior to 2002

    In the Final Results of CORE from Korea 2006, the Department 
determined the GOK ended its practice of directing credit to the steel 
industry as of 2002. See Preliminary Results of CORE from Korea 2006, 
73 FR 52315; 52317 (September 9, 2008) unchanged in Final Results of 
CORE from Korea 2006, 74 FR 2512 (January 15, 2009), and Issues and 
Decision Memorandum for the Countervailing Duty Administrative Review 
on Corrosion-Resistant Carbon Steel Flat Products from the Republic of 
Korea at ``Programs Determined To Confer Subsidies, A. The GOK's 
Direction of Credit'' section. However, during 2008, the respondent had 
an outstanding loan that was provided prior to 2002.
    In accordance with 19 CFR 351.505(c)(2) and (4), we calculated the 
benefit for the loan received prior to 2002 as the difference between 
the actual amount of interest paid on the directed loan during the POR 
and the amount of interest that would have been paid during the POR at 
the benchmark interest rate. We conducted our benefit calculations 
using the benchmark interest rates described in the ``Subsidies 
Valuation Information'' section above.
    To calculate the net subsidy rate, we divided the company's total 
benefit by its respective total f.o.b. sales values during the POR, as 
this program is not tied to exports or a particular product. For HYSCO, 
we preliminarily determine the net subsidy rate under the direction of 
credit program to be less than 0.005 percent ad valorem, which 
consistent with the Department's practice, does not confer a measurable 
benefit and is not included in the calculation of the net 
countervailable rate. See, e.g., CORE from Korea 2006 Decision 
Memorandum at ``GOK's Direction of Credit'' section.

D. R&D Grants Under the Act on the Promotion of the Development of 
Alternative Energy

    The GOK's Development of Alternative Energy program is designed to 
contribute to the preservation of the environment, the sound and 
sustainable development of the national economy, and the promotion of 
national welfare by diversifying energy resources through promoting 
technological development, the use and diffusion of alternative energy, 
and reducing the discharge of gases harmful to humans or the 
environment by activating the alternative energy industry. See GOK's 
December 22, 2009, QR at Exhibit G-1. The program is administered by 
the Ministry of Knowledge Economy (MKE), Korea Energy Management 
Corporation (KEMCO), and Alternative Energy Development Center under 
KEMCO. Id.
    Under the Act on the Promotion of the Development and Use of 
Alternative Energy, the GOK provides research and development (R&D) 
grants to support the following: (1) Survey of resources for 
alternative energy and demand for its technology, and compilation of 
statistics, (2) research and development of alternative energy, (3) 
collection, analysis, and provision of technological information on 
alternative energy, (4) guidance, education and publicity of 
technologies related to alternative energy, (5) use and diffusion of 
alternative energy, and model projects, (6) international cooperation 
related to alternative energy, (7) other projects necessary for the 
technological development and use or diffusion of alternative energy. 
Id., at 2.
    Pursuant to Articles 4 and 5 of the Act on the Promotion of the 
Development and Use of Alternative Energy, MKE prepares a base plan and 
a yearly execution plan for the development of alternative energy. Id., 
at 3. The base and execution plan are announced to the public. Id. 
According to the GOK, any person who wishes to participate in the 
program prepares an R&D business plan and then submits the application 
to the Alternative Energy Development Center under KEMCO, which then 
evaluates the application and selects the projects eligible for 
government-support. Id. After the selected application is finally 
approved by MKE, KEMCO and the general supervising institute of the 
consortium enter into an R&D agreement and then MKE provides the grant 
through KEMCO. Id.
    The costs of the R&D projects under this program are shared by the 
company (or research institution) and the GOK. Id., at 2. Specifically, 
the grant ratio for project costs are as follows: (1) For large 
companies the GOK provides grants up to one-half of the project costs, 
(2) for small/medium-sized companies the GOK provides grants up to 
three-fourth of the project costs, (3) for consortium \1\ the GOK 
provides grants up to three-fourth of the project costs, and (4) others 
the GOK provides grants up to one-half of the project costs. Id.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ If the ratio of small to medium-sized companies in a 
consortium is above two-thirds, the GOK provides grants up to one-
half of the project costs.
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    When the project is evaluated as ``successful'' upon completion, 
the participating companies must repay 40 percent of the R&D grant to 
the GOK. Id., at 2. However, when the project is evaluated as ``not 
successful'', the company does not have to repay any of the grant 
amount to the GOK. Id.
    During the POR, HYSCO received an energy-related grant under the 
Act on the Promotion of the Development of Alternative Energy 
(Alternative Energy Act) for a R&D project in which the company 
participated with other firms. See GOK's December 22, 2009 QR at 18. 
HYSCO reported that R&D grants under

[[Page 55749]]

the Alternative Energy Act are provided with respect to specific 
projects, which are generally multi-year projects where the amount of 
funds to be provided by the GOK is set out in the project contract. See 
HYSCO's March 17, 2010 QR at Exhibit G-10. The cost of R&D projects 
under this program is shared by the participating companies and the 
GOK. Id. HYSCO's grant is related to new technologies that are 
applicable to both inputs of subject merchandise as well as subject 
merchandise. See Memorandum to the File titled ``HYSCO's R&D Grants 
under the Act on the Promotion of the Development and Use of 
Alternative Energy'' (September 7, 2010) (HYSCO Alternative Energy 
Grant Memorandum), of which a public version is on file in the CRU.
    In the previous administrative review of this case, we examined 
this R&D grant and found that the subsidy rate under this program was 
less than 0.005 percent ad valorem, which, consistent with the 
Department's practice, did not confer a measurable benefit. See 
Corrosion-Resistant Carbon Steel Flat Products From the Republic of 
Korea: Preliminary Results of Countervailing Duty Administrative Review 
(Preliminary Results of CORE From Korea 2007), 74 FR 46100; 46106 
(September 8, 2009) unchanged in Corrosion-Resistant Carbon Steel Flat 
Products From the Republic of Korea: Final Results of Countervailing 
Duty Administrative Review (Final Results of CORE From Korea 2007), 74 
FR 55192 (October 27, 2009). Consequently, it was unnecessary for the 
Department to make a finding as to the countervailability of the 
program in that review. Id.
    In this administrative review, we calculated the GOK's contribution 
to the project that was apportioned to HYSCO and then, in accordance 
with 19 CFR 351.524(b)(2), determined whether to allocate the non-
recurring benefit from the grant over HYSCO's total sales in the year 
the grant was approved. Because the amount of the grant is less that 
0.5 percent of the relevant sales, we expensed the benefit for the 
grant to the year of receipt. We preliminarily determine the subsidy 
rate under this program to be greater than 0.005 percent ad valorem, 
which, consistent with the Department's practice is a measurable 
benefit. Consequently, it is necessary for the Department to make a 
finding as to the countervailability of this program.
    Therefore, in these preliminary results, we have analyzed whether 
the grant received from the GOK under the Alternative Energy Act is 
countervailable. We analyzed whether the GOK provided grants to the 
respondent and/or Korean industries in a manner that was specific 
within the meaning of section 771(5A) of the Act. We preliminarily 
determine the Alternative Energy Act is de jure specific within the 
meaning of 771(5A)(D)(i) because the GOK expressly limits access to the 
subsidy to the development and promotion of alternative energy. See 
GOK's December 22, 2009 QR at Exhibit G-2 and G-4. We also 
preliminarily determine that a financial contribution provided in the 
form of revenue forgone, and a benefit within the meaning of sections 
771(5)(D)(ii) and 771(5)(E) of the Act.
    To determine the benefit from the grant HYSCO received from this 
program, we calculated the GOK's contribution for the R&D grant that 
was apportioned to HYSCO. See 19 CFR 351.504(a). Next, in accordance 
with 19 CFR 351.524(b)(2), we determined whether to allocate the non-
recurring benefit from the grants over a 15-year AUL by dividing the 
GOK approved grant amount by the company's total sales in the year of 
approval. Because the approved amount was less than 0.5 percent of the 
company's total sales, we expensed the grant to the year of receipt. 
Next, to calculate the net subsidy rate, we divided the portion of the 
benefit allocated to the POR by HYSCO's total f.o.b. sales for 2008. 
See 19 CFR 351.525(b)(3). On this basis, we preliminarily determine the 
net subsidy rate under this program to be 0.01 percent ad valorem for 
HYSCO.

E. R&D Grants Under the Act on Special Measures for the Promotion of 
Specialized Enterprises for Parts and Materials

    Under the Act on Special Measures for the Promotion of Specialized 
Enterprises for Parts and Materials (Promotion of Specialized 
Enterprises Act), the GOK shares the costs of R&D projects with 
companies or research institutions the goal of the program is to 
support technology development for core parts and materials necessary 
for technological innovation and improvement in competitiveness. See 
GOK's December 22, 2009 QR at Exhibit G-5. The program is administered 
by the Ministry of Knowledge Economy (MKE) and Korea Evaluation 
Institute of Industrial Technology (KEIT). Id.
    In accordance with Articles 3 and 4 of the Promotion of Specialized 
Enterprises Act, MKE prepares a base plan and a yearly execution plan 
for the development of the parts and materials industry. See GOK's 
December 22, 2009 QR at Exhibit G-5. Under the execution plan, MKE 
announces to the public a detailed business plan for the development of 
parts and materials technology. Id. at 2. This business plan includes 
support areas, qualifications, and the application process. Id. 
According to the GOK, any person or company can participate in the 
program by preparing an R&D business plan that conforms with the 
requirements set forth in the MKE business plan. Id. at 3. The 
completed application must then be submitted to KEIT, which evaluates 
the application and selects the projects eligible for government-
support. Id. After the selected application is finally approved by MKE, 
MKE and the participating companies enter into an R&D agreement and 
then MKE provides the grant. Id.
    R&D project costs are shared by the GOK and companies or research 
institutions as follows: (1) When the group of companies involved in 
the research is made up of a ratio above two-thirds small to medium-
sized companies, the GOK provides a grant up to three-forth of the 
project cost; (2) When the group of companies involved in the research 
is made up of a ratio below two-thirds small to medium-sized companies, 
the GOK provides a grant up to one-half of the project cost. See GOK's 
December 22, 2009 QR, Exhibit G-5 at 2.
    Upon completion of the project, if the GOK evaluates the project as 
``successful'', the participating companies must repay 40 percent of 
the R&D grant to the GOK over five years. See GOK's December 22, 2009 
QR, Exhibit G-5 at 2. However, if the project is evaluated by the GOK 
as ``not successful'', the company does not have to repay any of the 
grant amount to the GOK. Id.
    HYSCO reported that during the POR, it was involved in two R&D 
projects under this program. See HYSCO's December 22, 2009 QR at 18. 
HYSCO further reported that it led a consortia of several companies in 
these projects for the steel used in automobiles. Id. Moreover, HYSCO 
stated that it received R&D grants under this program that are for the 
development of specialized technologies associated with the production 
of subject merchandise. Id.
    Therefore, in these preliminary results, we have analyzed whether 
the grants received from the GOK under the Promotion of Specialized 
Enterprises Act is countervailable. We analyzed whether the GOK 
provided grants to the respondent and/or Korean industries in a manner 
that was specific within the meaning of section 771(5A) of the Act. 
Because we do not have a full translation of the Promotion of 
Specialized Enterprises Act on the record, we do not have the 
information necessary to determine whether it is

[[Page 55750]]

de jure specific. Subsequent to these preliminary results, we will 
request a full translation of the law from the GOK so that we can make 
a de jure specificity determination for the final results.
    Where the Department cannot find de jure specificity, section 
771(5A)(D)(iii) of the Act also directs the Department to examine 
whether the benefits provided under the program are de facto specific--
that is, whether the benefits are specific as a matter of fact. 
Subparagraphs (I) through (IV) of section 771(5A)(D)(iii) of the Act 
stipulate that a program is de facto specific if one or more of the 
following factors exist:
    (I) The actual recipients of the subsidy whether considered on an 
enterprise or industry basis are limited in number.
    (II) An enterprise or industry is a predominant user of the 
subsidy.
    (III) An enterprise or industry receives a disproportionately large 
amount of the subsidy
    (IV) The manner in which the authority providing the subsidy has 
exercised discretion in the decision to grant the subsidy indicates 
that an enterprise or industry is favored over others.
    In response to the Department's request, the GOK provided the 
Department with a breakdown of the R&D grants approved under the 
Promotion of Specialized Enterprises Act by the GOK, for HYSCO and by 
industry, for the years 2002 through 2008, which corresponds to the 
years the R&D projects in question were approved and the three previous 
years. See GOK's August 6, 2010 QR at Exhibit G-15 and Exhibit G-16. In 
conducting our de facto specificity analysis, we identified the GOK 
assistance approved for HYSCO's R&D projects under this program for 
which it received grants during the POR. We then analyzed the 
distribution of all GOK grants received under this program in the years 
in which HYSCO's R&D project was approved and the three previous 
years.\2\ Specifically, we compared the amount of assistance approved 
for HYSCO to the average amount of assistance approved for other 
companies. See Memorandum to the file titled: ``De Facto Specificity 
Analysis for Preliminary Results: The Act on special Measures for the 
Promotion of Specialized Enterprises for Parts and Materials 2002-
2008'' (Specialized Enterprises Act Specificity Memorandum) of which a 
public version is on file in CRU. Based on our analysis of the GOK's 
R&D grants under the Specialized Enterprises Act, we preliminarily 
determined that HYSCO received a disproportionate share of assistance 
under this program in 2005 and 2008 because the amounts it received 
were significantly larger than the average amount disbursed to other 
companies in those years. See Specialized Enterprises Act Specificity 
Memorandum. Therefore, consistent with our past practice, we 
preliminarily find that the program, with respect to the assistance 
provided to HYSCO, is de facto specific within the meaning of 
771(5A)(D)(iii)(III) of the Act because the respondent received a 
disproportionate amount of the benefits under the program. See, e.g., 
Alloy Magnesium From Canada: Final Results of Countervailing Duty New 
Shipper Review, 68 FR 22359 (April 28, 2003), and accompanying issues 
and decision memorandum at Comment 2, in which the Department found a 
program to be de facto specific based, in part, on the fact that the 
amount of benefits received by the respondent was, ``* * * greater than 
the grants received by 99 percent of all the beneficiaries and over 
ninety times larger than the typical grant amount.'' We also 
preliminarily determine that a financial contribution is provided in 
the form of revenue forgone, and a benefit within the meaning of 
sections 771(5)(D)(ii) and 771(5)(E) of the Act.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \2\ The GOK only provided information by industry concerning the 
year in which HYSCO's R&D projects were approved, 2005 and 2008, and 
the preceding three years.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    To determine the benefit from the grants HYSCO received from the 
Specialized Enterprises Act program, we calculated the GOK's 
contribution for the R&D grant that was apportioned to HYSCO. See 19 
CFR 351.504(a). Next, in accordance with 19 CFR 351.524(b)(2), we 
determined whether to allocate the non-recurring benefit from the 
grants over a 15-year AUL by dividing the GOK approved grant amount by 
the company's total sales in the year of approval. Because the approved 
amount was less than 0.5 percent of the company's total sales, we 
expensed the grant to the year of receipt. Next, to calculate the net 
subsidy rate, we divided the portion of the benefit allocated to the 
POR by HYSCO's total f.o.b. sales for 2008. See 19 CFR 351.525(b)(3). 
On this basis, we preliminarily determine the net subsidy rate under 
this program to be 0.03 percent ad valorem for HYSCO.

II. Programs Preliminarily Determined Not To Confer a Benefit During 
the POR

A. Research and Development Grants Under the Industrial Development Act 
(IDA)

    The GOK, through the Ministry of Knowledge Economy (MKE),\3\ 
provides R&D grants to support numerous projects pursuant to the IDA, 
including technology for core materials, components, engineering 
systems, and resource technology. See Corrosion-Resistant Carbon Steel 
Flat Products From the Republic of Korea: Preliminary Results of 
Countervailing Duty Administrative Review Preliminary Results of CORE 
From Korea 2007), 74 FR 46100; 46102 (September 8, 2009) unchanged in 
Corrosion-Resistant Carbon Steel Flat Products From the Republic of 
Korea: Final Results of Countervailing Duty Administrative Review 
(Final Results of CORE from Korea 2007), 74 FR 55192 (October 27, 
2009). The IDA is designed to foster the development of efficient 
technology for industrial development. Id. To participate in this 
program a company may: (1) Perform its own R&D project, (2) participate 
through the Korea Association of New Iron and Steel Technology 
(KANIST),\4\ which is an association of steel companies established for 
the development of new iron and steel technology, and/or (3) 
participate in another company's R&D project and share R&D costs as 
well as funds received from the GOK. Id. To be eligible to participate 
in this program, the applicant must meet the qualifications set forth 
in the basic plan and must perform R&D as set forth under the Notice of 
Industrial Basic Technology Development Plan. Id. If the R&D project is 
not successful, the company must repay the full amount of the grants 
provided by the GOK. Id.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \3\ Prior to February 29, 2008, MKE was known as the Ministry of 
Commerce, Industry, and Energy (MOCIE).
    \4\ Also known as Korea New Iron & Steel Technology Research 
Association (KNISTRA).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In the H Beams Investigation, the Department determined that 
through KANIST, the Korean steel industry receives funding specific to 
the steel industry. Therefore, given the nature of KANIST, the 
Department found projects under KANIST to be specific. See Preliminary 
Negative Countervailing Duty Determination With Final Antidumping Duty 
Determination: Structural Steel Beams From the Republic of Korea, 64 FR 
69731, 69740 (December 14, 1999) (unchanged in the final results, 65 FR 
69371 (July 3, 2000), and accompanying Issues and Decision Memorandum 
at ``R&D Grants Under the

[[Page 55751]]

Korea New Iron & Steel Technology Research Association (KNISTRA)''). 
Further, we found that the grants constitute a financial contribution 
under section 771(5)(D)(i) of the Act in the form of a grant, and 
bestow a benefit under section 771(5)(E) of the Act in the amount of 
the grant. Id. No new factual information or evidence of changed 
circumstances has been provided to the Department with respect to this 
program. Therefore, we preliminarily continue to find that this program 
is de jure specific within the meaning of section 771(5A)(D)(i) of the 
Act and constitutes a financial contribution and confers a benefit 
under sections 771(5)(D)(i) and 771(5)(E) of the Act, respectively.
    HYSCO benefitted from this program during the POR. See HYSCO's 
December 22, 2009 QR at 17. HYSCO participated in a project indirectly 
through KANIST. Id. HYSCO claims that the project for which grants were 
received from the government was not related to subject merchandise. 
Id. at 18.
    The Department has previously determined that the grants HYSCO 
received under this program are attributed to the production of non-
subject. See Corrosion-Resistant Carbon Steel Flat Products From the 
Republic of Korea: Preliminary Results of Countervailing Duty 
Administrative Review (Preliminary Results of CORE from Korea 2007), 74 
FR 46100; 46102 (September 8, 2010) unchanged in Corrosion-Resistant 
Carbon Steel Flat Products From the Republic of Korea: Final Results of 
Countervailing Duty Administrative Review (Final Results of CORE From 
Korea 2007), 74 FR 55192 (October 27, 2008); and Memorandum to the File 
titled ``HYSCO's R&D Grants Under the IDA Memorandum to the file in the 
Countervailing Duty Administrative Review for the period of review 
(POR) January 1, 2007 through December 31, 2007'' (July 26, 2010) 
(HYSCO IDA Grants Memorandum), of which a public version is on file in 
the CRU. Therefore, consistent with 19 CFR 351.525(b)(5)(i) and our 
past practice, we determine that these grants are tied to non-subject 
merchandise and, thus did not confer a benefit to HYSCO during the POR.

B. Energy Savings Fund Program

    The Energy Savings Fund (ESF) program provides financing for 
investment in projects and equipment that use energy efficiently. In 
the DRAMS Investigation, the Department found that the loans were not 
specific within the meaning of section 771(5A) of the Act during the 
period of investigation (POI), which was January 1, 2001, through June 
30, 2002. See Final Affirmative Countervailing Duty Determination: 
Dynamic Random Access Memory Semiconductors from the Republic of Korea, 
68 FR 37122 (June 23, 2003) (DRAMS Investigation), and accompanying 
Issues and Decision Memorandum (DRAMS Investigation Decision 
Memorandum) at ``ESF Program'' and ``Comment 24.'' In the instant 
review, HYSCO reported that, during the POR, the company had 
outstanding balances for ESF loans that were received in 2000. The 
Department's specificity finding in the DRAMS Investigation did not 
cover the year 2000. See Preliminary Affirmative Countervailing Duty 
Determination: Dynamic Random Access Memory Semiconductors from the 
Republic of Korea, 68 FR 16766, 16775 (April 7, 2003) (unchanged in 
final results, 68 FR 37122 (June 23, 2003)). However, because there is 
no measurable benefit for this program as explained below, we 
preliminarily determine that it is unnecessary for the Department to 
make a determination on the countervailability of ESF loans that were 
issued in 2000.
    We performed the loan benefit calculation applying the long-term 
benchmark interest rates described above in the ``Subsidies Valuation 
Information'' section. For the POR, we preliminarily determine the net 
subsidy rate under the ESF loan program to be less than 0.005 percent 
ad valorem, which, consistent with the Department's practice, does not 
confer a measurable benefit and is not included in the calculation of 
the net countervailable rate. See, e.g., CORE from Korea 2006 Decision 
Memorandum at ``GOK's Direction of Credit'' section.

C. Overseas Resource Development Program: Loan From Korea Resources 
Corporation (KORES)

    In Final Results of CORE from Korea 2006, the Department found that 
GOK enacted the Overseas Resource Development (ORD) Business Act in 
order to establish the foundation for securing the long-term supply of 
essential energy and major material minerals, which are mostly imported 
because of scarce domestic resources. See Preliminary Results of CORE 
from Korea 2006, 73 FR 52315; 52326 (September 9, 2008) unchanged in 
Final Results of CORE from Korea 2006, 74 FR 2512 (January 15, 2009), 
and Issues and Decision Memorandum for the Countervailing Duty 
Administrative Review on Corrosion-Resistant Carbon Steel Flat Products 
from the Republic of Korea at ``Programs Determined To Be Not Used'' 
section. Pursuant to Article 11 of this Act, the Ministry of Commerce, 
Industry and Energy (MOCIE) annually announces its budget and the 
eligibility criteria to obtain a loan from MOCIE. Id. Any company that 
meets the eligibility criteria may apply for a loan to MOCIE. Id. The 
eligibility criteria for receiving an ORD loan are that the loan should 
be used for surveying, exploration, development, production, 
engineering services and financing for the development of overseas 
natural resources. Id. The applicant submits its ORD plans to MOCIE in 
accordance with the Overseas Resources Development Business Act. Id. 
MOCIE requests that the KORES, a public corporation that is wholly 
owned by the GOK, conduct an eligibility review, feasibility study and 
credit evaluation. Id. KORES was established in 1967 and has assumed a 
direct role in establishing and implementing the GOK's resources 
development policy, whose purpose is to secure mineral resources for 
Korea. Id. In the selection process, KORES uses a loan evaluation 
committee to select the recipients based on the criteria for the 
project to develop strategic minerals (e.g., bituminous coal, uranium, 
iron ore, copper, zinc, nickel, etc.) including co-development with 
resource-owning countries, mining right of minerals, etc. KORES 
provides the evaluation results and its recommendation to MOCIE. Id. If 
the result and recommendation are favorable, MOCIE approves the loan 
application and provides funds to KORES. KORES then lends the funds to 
the company for foreign resource development. Id.
    During the POR, HYSCO obtained loans from KORES for investment in a 
copper mine in Mexico. See HYSCO's December 22, 2009 QR at 11 and 
Exhibit 8 at 24. However, under 19 CFR 351.505(b), no benefits were 
received by HYSCO during the POR. Therefore, we preliminarily determine 
that HYSCO did not receive a benefit from this program during the POR. 
We will continue to examine this program in future reviews.

D. Overseas Resource Development Program: Loan From Korea National Oil 
Corporation (KNOC)

    In Final Results of CORE from Korea 2007, the Department found that 
GOK enacted the Overseas Resource Development (ORD) Business Act in 
order to establish the foundation for securing the long-term supply of 
essential energy and major material minerals, which are mostly imported 
because of scarce domestic resources. See Preliminary Results of CORE 
from Korea 2007, 74 FR 46100; 46107-46108

[[Page 55752]]

(September 8, 2010) unchanged in Final Results of CORE from Korea 2007) 
74 FR 55192 (October 27, 2008). Pursuant to Article 11 of this Act, the 
MKE annually announces its budget and the eligibility criteria to 
obtain a loan from MKE. Id. Any company that meets the eligibility 
criteria may apply for a loan to MKE. Id. For projects that are related 
to petroleum and natural gas, the KNOC lends the funds to the company 
for foreign resources development. Id. An approved company enters into 
a borrowing agreement with KNOC for the development of the selected 
resource. Id. Two types of loans are provided under this program: 
``General loans'' and ``success-contingent loans''. For a success-
contingent loan, the repayment obligation is subject to the results of 
the development project. In the event that the project fails, the 
company will be exempted for all or a portion of the loan repayment 
obligation. However, if the project succeeds, a portion of the project 
income is payable to KNOC. Id.
    During the POR, HYSCO obtained a loan from KNOC related to the 
exploration for petroleum in New Zealand. See HYSCO's December 22, 2009 
questionnaire response (QR) at 11 and Exhibit 8 at 24. However, under 
19 CFR 351.505(b), no benefits were received by HYSCO during the POR. 
Therefore, we preliminarily determine that HYSCO did not receive a 
benefit from this program during the POR. We will continue to examine 
this program in future reviews.

III. Programs Preliminarily Determined To Be Not Countervailable

A. Long-Term Loans From the Korean Development Band (KDB) Issued in 
Years 2002 through 2008

    HYSCO had long-term loans that were issued by the Korean 
Development Bank (KDB), a government policy bank, in years 2002 through 
2008 on which they made interest payments during the POR. Therefore, in 
these preliminary results, we have analyzed whether the long-term KDB 
loans are countervailable. First, we analyzed whether the KDB issued 
long-term loans to the respondent and/or the Korean steel industry in a 
manner that was specific within the meaning of section 771(5A) of the 
Act.
    The Department has previously determined that long-term loans 
issued by the KDB during the period 2002 through 2006 are not de jure 
specific within the meaning of sections 771(5A)(D)(i) and (ii) of the 
Act because: (1) They are not based on exportation; (2) they are not 
contingent on the use of domestic goods over imported goods; and (3) 
the legislation and/or regulations do not expressly limit access to the 
subsidy to an enterprise or industry, or groups thereof, as a matter of 
law. See CFS Paper Investigation 72 FR 60639 (October 25, 2007) and CFS 
Paper Decision Memorandum at ``Long-Term Lending Provided by the KDB 
and Other GOK-Owned Institutions'' section. The Department's finding in 
the CFS Paper Investigation that long-term loans issued by the KDB 
during the period 2002 through 2006 are not de jure specific was not 
limited to a particular industry or industries. Id. Therefore, in 
regard to this issue, we find that the Department's determination in 
the CFS Paper Investigation is applicable to the instant review. 
Further, concerning this program, there is no information on the record 
of the instant review that warrants reconsideration of the Department's 
prior finding of the absence of de jure specificity during the 2002 
through 2006 period. On this basis, we preliminarily determine that the 
KDB's issuance of long-term loans during the 2002 through 2007 period 
are not de jure specific within the meaning of sections 771(5A)(D)(i) 
and (ii) of the Act.
    Where the Department finds no de jure specificity, section 
771(5A)(D)(iii) of the Act also directs the Department to examine 
whether the benefits provided under the program are de facto specific--
that is, whether the benefits are specific as a matter of fact. 
Subparagraphs (I) through (IV) of section 771(5A)(D)(iii) of the Act 
stipulate that a program is de facto specific if one or more of the 
following factors exist:
    (I) The actual recipients of the subsidy whether considered on an 
enterprise or industry basis are limited in number.
    (II) An enterprise or industry is a predominant user of the 
subsidy.
    (III) An enterprise or industry receives a disproportionately large 
amount of the subsidy
    (IV) The manner in which the authority providing the subsidy has 
exercised discretion in the decision to grant the subsidy indicates 
that an enterprise or industry is favored over others.
    In response to the Department's request, the GOK provided the 
Department with a breakdown of the issuance of long-term lending by the 
KDB, by industry, for the years 2002 through 2008. See GOK's March 17, 
2010, Questionnaire Response, at Exhibit A-5. In conducting our de 
facto specificity analysis, we identified all long-term loans issued by 
the KDB to HYSCO on which interest payments were made during the POR. 
We then analyzed the distribution of all long-term loans issued by the 
KDB across industry groups in the year in which HYSCO's outstanding 
loans were issued as well as the two preceding years.\5\ Specifically, 
we compared the amount of long-term KDB loans issued to the ``Base 
Metal Industry'' (e.g., the steel industry) to the amount of long-term 
KDB loans issued to other industries.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \5\ The GOK was able to provide information concerning the 
amount of loans the KDB issued to each industry during the period 
2001 through 2007. Therefore, when analyzing whether loans issued in 
2002 were specific, we were only able to analyze lending patterns 
during the period 2001 and 2002.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Based on our analysis of the long-term KDB lending data coupled 
with the KDB lending data reported by HYSCO in their respective 
questionnaire responses, we preliminarily determine that the respondent 
firm, as an individual enterprise, did not receive KDB loans in a 
manner that was de facto specific as described in sections 
771(5A)(D)(iii) of the Act. Further, based on these comparisons, we 
preliminarily determine that the KDB did not issue loans to the steel 
industry in a manner that was de facto specific as described in section 
771(5A)(D)(iii) of the Act. For further information, see Memorandum to 
the File titled ``Analysis of KDB Lending Data'' (September 7, 2010), 
which is a public document on file in the CRU.
    On this basis, we preliminarily determine that the long-term loans 
that HYSCO received from the KDB during the years 2002 through 2008 are 
not specific within the meaning of section 771(5A) of the Act, and, 
therefore, we preliminarily determine that they are not 
countervailable.

IV. Programs Preliminarily Determined To Be Not Used

Overseas Resource Development Program: Loan From KEXIM

    In Final Results of CORE from Korea 2006, the Department found that 
GOK enacted the Overseas Resource Development (ORD) Business Act in 
order to establish the foundation for securing the long-term supply of 
essential energy and major material minerals, which are mostly imported 
because of scarce domestic resources. See Corrosion-Resistant Carbon 
Steel Flat Products From the Republic of Korea: Preliminary Results of 
Countervailing Duty Administrative Review (Preliminary Results of CORE 
from Korea 2006), 73 FR 52315; 52326 (September 9, 2008) unchanged in 
Corrosion-Resistant Carbon Steel Flat Products From the Republic of 
Korea: Final Results of Countervailing Duty Administrative Review 
(Final Results of

[[Page 55753]]

CORE from Korea 2006), 74 FR 2512 (January 15, 2009), and Issues and 
Decision Memorandum at ``Programs Determined To Be Not Used'' section. 
Pursuant to Article 11 of this Act, the MKE annually announces its 
budget and the eligibility criteria to obtain a loan from MKE. Id. Any 
company that meets the eligibility criteria may apply for a loan to 
MKE. Id. The eligibility criteria for receiving an ORD loan are that 
the loan should be used for surveying, exploration, development, 
production, engineering services and financing for the development of 
overseas natural resources. Id. The applicant submits its ORD plans to 
MKE in accordance with the ORD. Id. The loan evaluation committee 
evaluates the applications, selects the recipients and gets the 
approval from the minister of MKE. Id.
    During the POR, HYSCO reported in its 2007-2008 financial 
statements that it obtained loans from KEXIM for investment in a copper 
mine in Mexico. See HYSCO's December 22, 2009, QR at 11 and Exhibit 8 
at 24; see also HYSCO's Loan Agreement with KEXIM, Exhibit A-5. Copper 
is not an input used in the production of subject merchandise. 
Therefore, we preliminarily determine that HYSCO did not use this 
program with respect to the subject merchandise during the POR. We will 
continue to examine this program in future reviews.
    In addition, we found that the following programs were not used 
during the POR:

 Reserve for Research and Manpower Development Fund Under 
RSTA Article 9 (TERCL Article 8)
 RSTA Article 11: Tax Credit for Investment in Equipment to 
Development Technology and Manpower (TERCL Article 10)
 Reserve for Export Loss Under TERCL Article 16
 Reserve for Overseas Market Development Under TERCL Article 
17
 Reserve for Export Loss Under TERCL Article 22
 Exemption of Corporation Tax on Dividend Income from 
Overseas Resources Development Investment Under TERCL Article 24
 Tax Credits for Temporary Investments Under TERCL Article 
27
 Social Indirect Capital Investment Reserve Funds Under 
TERCL Article 28
 Energy-Savings Facilities Investment Reserve Funds Under 
TERCL Article 29
 Reserve for Investment (Special Cases of Tax for Balanced 
Development Among Areas Under TERCL Articles 41-45)
 Tax Credits for Specific Investments Under TERCL Article 71
 Asset Revaluation Under Article 56(2) of the Tax Reduction 
and Exemption Control Act (TERCL)
 Emergency Load Reduction Program
 Electricity Discounts Under the Requested Loan Adjustment 
Program
 Electricity Discounts Under the Emergency Load Reductions 
Program
 Export Industry Facility Loans and Specialty Facility Loans
 Local Tax Exemption on Land Outside of a Metropolitan Area
 Short-Term Trade Financing Under the Aggregate Credit 
Ceiling Loan Program Administered by the Bank of Korea
 Industrial Base Fund
 Excessive Duty Drawback
 Private Capital Inducement Act
 Scrap Reserve Fund
 Special Depreciation of Assets on Foreign Exchange Earnings
 Export Insurance Rates Provided by the Korean Export 
Insurance Corporation
 Loans from the National Agricultural Cooperation Federation
 Tax Incentives from Highly Advanced Technology Businesses 
Under the Foreign Investment and Foreign Capital Inducement Act
 Other Subsidies Related to Operations at Asan Bay: 
Provision of Land and Exemption of Port Fees Under the Harbor Act
 D/A Loans Issued by the Korean Development Bank and Other 
Government-Owned Banks
 R&D Grants under the Promotion of Industrial Technology 
Innovation Act
 Export Loans by Commercial Banks Under KEXIM's Trade Bill 
Rediscounting Program
 Restriction of Special Taxation Act (RSTA) Article 94: 
Equipment Investment to Promote Worker's Welfare
Preliminary Results of Review
    In accordance with 19 CFR 351.221(b)(4)(i), we calculated an 
individual subsidy rate for each producer/exporter subject to this 
administrative review. For the period January 1, 2008, through December 
31, 2008, we preliminarily determine the net subsidy rate for HYSCO to 
be 0.07 percent ad valorem, a de minimis rate. See 19 CFR 
351.106(c)(1).
    The Department intends to issue assessment instructions to U.S. 
Customs and Border Protection (CBP) 15 days after the date of 
publication of the final results of this review. If the final results 
remain the same as these preliminary results, the Department will 
instruct CBP to liquidate without regard to countervailable duties all 
shipments of subject merchandise produced by HYSCO, entered, or 
withdrawn from warehouse, for consumption from January 1, 2008, through 
December 31, 2008. The Department will also instruct CBP not to collect 
cash deposits of estimated countervailing duties on shipments of the 
subject merchandise produced by HYSCO, entered, or withdrawn from 
warehouse, for consumption on or after the date of publication of the 
final results of this review.
    We will instruct CBP to continue to collect cash deposits for non-
reviewed companies at the most recent company-specific or country-wide 
rate applicable to the company. Accordingly, the cash deposit rates 
that will be applied to companies covered by this order, but not 
examined in this review, are those established in the most recently 
completed administrative proceeding for each company. These rates shall 
apply to all non-reviewed companies until a review of a company 
assigned these rates is requested.
Public Comment
    Pursuant to 19 CFR 351.224(b), the Department will disclose to 
parties to the proceeding any calculations performed in connection with 
these preliminary results within five days after the date of the public 
announcement of this notice. Pursuant to 19 CFR 351.309, interested 
parties may submit written comments in response to these preliminary 
results. Unless otherwise indicated by the Department, case briefs must 
be submitted within 30 days after the publication of these preliminary 
results. See 19 CFR 351.309(c)(1)(ii). Rebuttal briefs, which are 
limited to arguments raised in case briefs, must be submitted no later 
than five days after the time limit for filing case briefs, unless 
otherwise specified by the Department. See 19 CFR 351.309(d)(1). 
Parties who submit argument in this proceeding are requested to submit 
with the argument: (1) A statement of the issue; and (2) a brief 
summary of the argument. Parties submitting case and/or rebuttal briefs 
are requested to provide the Department copies of the public version on 
disk. Case and rebuttal briefs must be served on interested parties in 
accordance with 19 CFR 351.303(f). Also, pursuant to 19 CFR 351.310(c), 
within 30 days of the date of publication of this notice, interested 
parties may request a public hearing on arguments to be raised in the 
case and rebuttal briefs. Unless the secretary specifies otherwise, the 
hearing, if requested, will be held two days after the date for 
submission of rebuttal briefs.
    Pursuant to 19 CFR 351.305(b)(4), representatives of parties to the 
proceeding may request disclosure of proprietary information under 
administrative protective order no later than 10 days after the 
representative's client or employer becomes a party to the proceeding, 
but in no event later than the date the case briefs, under 19 CFR 
351.309(c)(i), are due. The Department will publish the final results 
of this administrative review, including the results of its analysis of 
issues raised in any case or rebuttal brief or at a hearing.

[[Page 55754]]

    These preliminary results of review are issued and published in 
accordance with sections 751(a)(1) and 777(i)(1) of the Act and 19 CFR 
351.221(b)(4).

    Dated: September 7, 2010.
Ronald K. Lorentzen,
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Import Administration.
[FR Doc. 2010-22901 Filed 9-13-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-DS-P