US slaps Korean washer makers with temporary duties

WASHINGTON (Yonhap) -- The U.S. Commerce Department announced Monday that it will impose tariffs on South Korean-made washing machines, a preliminary ruling in favor of their main American rival, Whirlpool Corp.

The department has investigated Whirlpool's allegations that Daewoo, LG Electronics and Samsung in South Korea dumped residential washing machines in the U.S. at unfair market values.