WASHINGTON -- South Korea pushed Wednesday to stop the United States from restricting imports of its solar cells, saying such a move would only harm US interests.

A government delegation, including officials from the foreign and commerce industries, made the case at a public hearing at the office of the US trade representative, the foreign ministry said in a statement.

"An increase in solar cell prices caused by import restriction measures would bring enormous costs to the US public interest," it quoted the lead delegate as saying.

He also argued that South Korean solar cell imports have not caused "serious damage" to the US industry.