South Korea Light Gauge Steel Framing Market Overview, 2030

The Light Gauge Steel Framing market in South Korea has undergone remarkable transformation since the country's post-war reconstruction era, deeply intertwined with the nation's broader industrialization journey that began earnestly in the nineteen sixties under President Park Chung-hee's economic development plans. The genesis of sophisticated steel framing technologies in South Korea can be traced back to the establishment of Pohang Iron and Steel Company, now known as POSCO, in nineteen sixty-eight, which created the foundational infrastructure for advanced steel manufacturing capabilities that would later support the development of light gauge steel framing systems. Korean manufacturers have distinguished themselves through the adoption of advanced roll-forming equipment capable of producing complex profiles with exceptional dimensional accuracy, utilizing multi-station rolling mills that can handle various steel grades and thicknesses simultaneously. Press-braking methods complement roll-forming operations particularly for specialized components and custom applications, with many facilities incorporating servo-electric press brakes equipped with adaptive bending technology that adjusts parameters in real-time based on material properties and environmental conditions. Automated punching systems have become integral to South Korean light gauge steel framing production, with manufacturers investing heavily in computer numerical control punching equipment that can create precise hole patterns, notches, and cutouts according to building information modeling specifications. These automated systems often integrate with broader factory automation networks, enabling seamless data flow from design software through production planning to final quality control, reflecting South Korea's broader commitment to Industry Four Point Zero manufacturing principles. National building codes governing Light Gauge Steel Framing in South Korea operate under a comprehensive regulatory framework administered primarily by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, with the Korea Building Code serving as the foundational document establishing minimum safety and performance requirements for steel framing systems.

According to the research report, ""South Korea Light Gauge Steel framing Market Overview, 2030,"" published by Bonafide Research, the South Korea Light Gauge Steel framing market is anticipated to add to more than USD 520 Million by 2025–30. POSCO Group, South Korea's largest steel and energy raw materials producer, has embarked on the process to acquire a controlling stake, worth around 7 trillion won ($5 billion), in HMM Co., the country's top ocean carrier, demonstrating the company's strategic diversification beyond traditional steel manufacturing into logistics and supply chain control, which indirectly benefits light gauge steel framing distribution capabilities. The broader steel industry has seen discussions of potential consolidation, with industry reports suggesting that mergers between South Korea's leading steelmakers POSCO and Hyundai Steel could benefit the local steel industry to gain competitive edge in the global market, though such large-scale consolidations have remained in the discussion phase rather than actual implementation. Dongkuk Steel Mill, as Korea's second largest EAF steel producer behind Hyundai Steel, has pursued strategic partnerships and subsidiary development through its parent company structure, while Dongkuk Holdings Company's most recent deal was a Merger/Acquisition with Ferrum Infra made on 20-Dec-2020, indicating ongoing consolidation activities within steel-related infrastructure sectors that support light gauge steel framing supply chains. Typical applications for light gauge steel framing in South Korea encompass a diverse range of building types, with educational facilities representing a particularly important market segment due to government infrastructure investment programs and seismic safety requirements for school buildings. Retail spaces and commercial buildings increasingly utilize light gauge steel framing for its design flexibility and rapid construction capabilities, particularly in urban areas where construction schedules must accommodate business continuity requirements. Primary import partners include Japan for precision manufacturing equipment and specialty components, Germany for advanced automation systems and quality control technologies, and various suppliers for specific coating materials and alloy components.

In South Korea, the structural type distribution of LGSF reveals a maturity in preference and an ongoing transition. Wall bearing steel framing holds a strong leadership position: many low rise and mid rise residential buildings, especially apartment blocks and smaller housing, still use load bearing wall systems in steel or hybrid with concrete, because these align well with the regulatory environment, fire safety requirements and the standard developer driven housing typologies. Wall bearing structures are familiar, relatively simpler in design and execution, easier to regulate and inspect, which gives them trust in South Korea’s construction sector. For larger commercial, institutional or mixed use developments, skeleton frames are becoming more prevalent because they allow more flexible interior layouts, longer spans between supports, and easier integration of building services without having to modify load‐bearing walls. The desire for more open lobby spaces, fewer interior walls, and architectural designs that push for more glazing or curtain wall solutions creates demand for skeleton framing. Regulations and building codes in Korea have been adapting to these demands, especially with respect to fire resistance, thermal performance, and seismic safety, encouraging skeleton steel elements. Long span steel framing remains more specialized. It is used where the functional need demands large clear spans. But because of the higher structural and engineering complexity and cost premium, it is not yet mainstream across the urban core for commercial or residential projects. Projects that do employ long span tend to be those with large roof structures, or where uninterrupted interior space is critical.

In South Korea, the end use breakdown for LGSF follows the country’s patterns of urbanization, density, industrial growth and regulatory push for efficiency. The demand for apartments, multi unit housing, and residential infill inflects heavily on steel framing choices. For developers, speed, cost predictability, fire code compliance, and sustainable performance matter, making LGSF appealing. Many residential buildings use hybrid or full steel framing in walls or partitions, fire safety and acoustics are highly regulated, which means steel framing products are chosen to meet both functional and regulatory criteria. Commercial end use is showing strong traction. Office buildings, retail complexes, hotels, mixed use towers are pushing for skeleton steel frames, curtain walls, flexible floor plans all to respond to market desires for open flexible spaces, visual aesthetics, and modern amenities. Commercial developers appreciate that steel framing can allow for faster construction schedules, fewer wet trades, and more predictable maintenance. High end commercial buildings are particularly experimental with more elaborate steel framing systems. Institutional end uses also adopt LGSF selectively, especially for expansions or refurbishment where speed and minimal disruption matter. Institutions often need compliance with stricter safety, accessibility, and durability standards, but where these are met, steel framing is valued. In industrial usage, there is a stable and growing interest for manufacturing plants, warehouses, light industrial sheds especially where size, span or structural flexibility is more important than detailed finishes. Steel framing in industrial buildings often prioritizes long span steel members or skeleton frames, depending on function.

In many LGSF systems, C shaped steel profiles are the central structural members. In the Korean market, cold formed C sections are likely the dominant profile for wall studs, floor joists in low rise or modular housing, and smaller commercial/institutional buildings. The steel manufacturing infrastructure in Korea supports high precision cold forming, galvanizing, coating, and fabrication, which align well with producing quality C profiles. U shaped tracks are used widely as the top and bottom tracks anchoring C studs, as well as around openings. These are less load bearing but crucial for alignment, anchorage, and as supports for panels or non structural elements. Their adoption is almost universal wherever C stud systems are used, especially in wall and floor framing systems. Z purlins are used chiefly in roof and wall cladding systems, especially for long spans or industrial / commercial sheds, for supporting roof decks or wall panels. Their properties make them well suited to resist bending and for overlapping in roof or wall cladding, so in industrial projects or large commercial sheds, they are likely common. However, in many urban residential or smaller commercial buildings in Korea, roof systems often use conventional steel trusses or reinforced concrete instead, so Z purlins might not be as pervasive in all segments. Others angles, channels, accessory members, stiffeners, connectors, bracing, fasteners, etc. These tend not to dominate in volume individually, but collectively they are essential for structural integrity, differential loads, for aesthetics, fire resistance, doors/windows / openings, and finishing.

Walls both external and internal partitions composed of steel studs or load bearing steel sheds are where much of the effort, regulation, product standardization, and market volume converge. Wall systems have to satisfy thermal insulation, fire resistance, sound insulation, moisture control, and aesthetics. Because walls are most visible and most regulated, they are often the first place where LGSF gets adopted. Builders and architects in Korea seem comfortable with wall panels, prefabricated wall modules, or steel stud framing for walls, particularly in residential and institutional projects. Roof systems are an important system especially in commercial, industrial, or some institutional buildings. Roof frames may use steel trusses, purlins, and roofing panels; where longer spans are required, these roof systems are heavier duty steel or include advanced coatings for corrosion resistance given Korea’s coastal exposure in many regions. Roof systems also incorporate insulation, waterproofing, guttering, etc., which compound design complexity. Floor systems with LGSF are used but less universally than walls or roofs. Low rise residential, modular housing or prefabricated floor panels assembled from steel joists over decking are increasingly used, especially when speed, lighter weight, or reduced seismic loads are desired. However for many higher load, multi storey, or heavy finish buildings, traditional concrete slabs or composite systems still hold sway. So steel framed floor systems are growing but still playing catch up. Ceiling systems, which are non load bearing, tend to be driven by interior design, services, acoustics, and finishes rather than primary structural demand. In commercial spaces, institutional buildings, or high end residences, ceiling grids or steel framing for suspended ceilings are used, but they make up a smaller fraction of structural steel framing market compared to walls or roofs.

Considered in this report
• Historic Year: 2019
• Base year: 2024
• Estimated year: 2025
• Forecast year: 2030

Aspects covered in this report
• Light Gauge Steel Framing Market with its value and forecast along with its segments
• Various drivers and challenges
• On-going trends and developments
• Top profiled companies
• Strategic recommendation

By Structural Type
• Skeleton steel framing
• Wall bearing steel framing
• Long span steel framing

By End-use
• Residential
• Commercial
• Institutional
• Industrial
• Others

By Construction System
• Wall Systems
• Roof Systems
• Floor Systems
• Ceiling Systems Show more