The French government has asked the European Commission to monitor imports of South Korean cars.

French Industry Minister Arnaud Montebourg said Friday that after the signing of the free trade agreement between the EU and South Korea, Korean motor companies have been engaged in unfair competition in the French market.

French media say the surveillance request is just one step before a request is made for an urgent ban on imports.

An automobile manufacturers’ association in France said the French auto market contracted over 20 percent in February, while South Korean car sales rose 49 percent.

However, it's been found that nearly 90 percent of the Hyundai or Kia cars on French roads were manufactured in European factories.