The Korea Box Industry Cooperative adopted a resolution strongly condemning repeated unilateral price increases by major corrugated and white paperboard manufacturers at its 2026 annual general meeting held at its office in Geumcheon-gu, Seoul, on the 3rd. The cooperative also officially declared it would launch a joint response to establish fair trade practices and promote mutual prosperity.
The cooperative claimed that some major corporations, which hold oligopolistic control over the corrugated base paper and white paperboard markets, have been repeatedly raising prices at similar times and rates even without sufficient objective justification for increases. It also pointed out that these companies are passing on cost increases to small and medium-sized manufacturers—costs they could absorb themselves.
Through the resolution, the cooperative strongly condemned the groundless, repeated, and uniform price hikes by major corrugated and white paperboard manufacturers and demanded immediate withdrawal. The cooperative also announced plans to file complaints with relevant authorities and launch boycotts if unilateral price increases recur without sufficient prior consultation.
"Unilateral price increases without reasonable grounds and sufficient consultation undermine the balance of the industrial ecosystem," said Park Jae-kyung, chairman of the Korea Box Industry Cooperative. "Balanced adjustments based on mutual understanding and consultation are necessary."
He added, "The cooperative will prioritize dialogue over confrontation until fair and mutually beneficial trade practices are established, and will work to facilitate substantive consultations to strengthen industrial competitiveness." However, he emphasized, "If dialogue proves difficult, we will pursue all possible measures, including legal and institutional responses."