SEOUL, South Korea - Hyundai Motor is saying it has been refused permits to import its Hyundai and Kia vehicles into China. Reuters, citing the Korean newspaper Chosun Ilbo, said the reason appears to be a reaction to Chinese auto dealers' claims that Hyundai has violated antitrust laws. Chinese media reportedly say the reason is actually that there are too many unsold Hyundai and Kia vehicles clogging China's ports already.

Whatever the reason - and a Hyundai official refused to speculate to the Reuters news service on Thursday - the Korean imports apparently are not being allowed into China. The news service said Hyundai and Kia sell about 520,000 cars in China each year, of which only about 10 percent are imported.

The Hyundai official quoted by Reuters said the Chinese government has not yet officially notified it that the permits are not going to be issued.