<Anchor> The



problem of lack of rebar, a key material in construction sites these days, is serious. As the global economy recovers, demand for rebar has increased and prices have risen significantly. In some cases, even construction has been stopped.



Reporter Lee Seong-hoon covered it.



<Reporter> This



is the construction site of an apartment in Gyeonggi-do.



The construction was virtually stopped because the reinforcement for the wall could not be obtained.



[From the 4th floor, there are no rebars, so I can't work.]



I am very worried that the construction period will not be met due to the severe shortage of

rebars that I ca

n't get even if I pay more.



[Hyung-Yeon Hwang/Director of construction company site: Even though payment is made at an increased unit price, the supply and demand are not working normally. If the frame construction is delayed, it will be delayed together with the rest of the deadline... .] At the



end of last year, the distribution price of rebar from 600,000 won has steadily risen and exceeded 900,000 won in the middle of this month.



It has been 13 years since the price of rebar has exceeded 900,000 won per ton.



The construction industry, which was frozen by Corona 19, is rapidly recovering and demand is slow.However, the main reason is that Chinese products, which account for 60% of rebar imported from overseas, are not properly supplied due to China's export restrictions to secure domestic rebar. This is the cause.



[Hong Jeong-eui/Director of Research and Analysis Office, Korea Steel Association: China has set a long-term policy direction toward restraining the export of general steel products such as rebar. Imported prices are higher than domestic prices… .]



Large construction companies that sign contracts every three months do not endure, but for small and medium-sized construction companies, 59 construction sites have stopped due to the supply and demand of raw materials such as rebar in the past two months.



[Han Sang-jun / Manager of Korea Construction Association: Rebar inventory is only 80% compared to the same period last year. In addition, the construction industry is booming. It is a serious situation where the supply of rebar is not keeping up with the demand at all.] As the



prices of raw materials such as cement and wood, as well as rebar, are expected to continue strong, the difficulties at the construction site are expected to continue for the time being.



(Video editing: Wonhee Won, VJ: Mingu Jung)