The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources launched Friday a joint task force with private industries to coordinate responses to the United States' trade investigations into South Korea over structural excess capacity and forced labor, officials said. Earlier this month, the office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) launched consecutive trade inquiries into South Korea and other major economies to uncover what it calls "unfair" trade practices related to structural excess capacity and production, and separate probes involving forced labor under Section 301 of the 1974 Trade Act. The task force, led by the ministry, comprises officials from relevant authorities and private industries, as well as trade experts. It will respond to the trade inquiries and related procedures, such as submission of written opinions and public hearings. During Friday's trade strategy meeting, Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo said the USTR's move appears to be aimed at restoring trade-related measures Washington had imposed on partners before the U.S. Supreme Court struck down U.S. President Donald Trump's "r