철강업계, 내수침체·중국산·무역장벽...재무부담 통제가 ‘관건’

South Korea's steel industry faces a perfect storm of collapsing domestic demand from construction downturn, aggressive Chinese low-cost dumping, and rising global trade barriers simultaneously. Operating profit margins have plummeted from 13.7% in 2021 to just 3.3% in 2025, forcing steelmakers to prioritize strict financial control and operational efficiency—no longer optional improvements but survival imperatives.