Second Request Issued Relating to U.S. Steel Proposal

Mishawaka, IN - National Steel Corporation announced that the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Illinois approved the breakup fee and bidding procedures related to the Asset Purchase Agreement (APA) with AK Steel Corporation. On January 30, 2003, AK Steel and National Steel Corporation entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement for National Steel's principal steel making and finishing assets and iron ore pellet operations for $1.125 billion, consisting of $925 million in cash and the assumption of certain liabilities approximating $200 million.

The court's ruling gives AK Steel "stalking horse", or priority status, which generally allows AK Steel to collect a breakup fee should National agree to sell its assets to another party prior to termination of the Asset Purchase Agreement with AK Steel.

The asset purchase agreement between National and AK Steel is subject to a number of conditions, including bankruptcy court approval, termination or expiration of the waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act and the execution and ratification of a new collective bargaining agreement with the United Steelworkers of America for those National Steel employees who will become employees of AK Steel. The asset purchase agreement is subject to higher and better offers submitted in accordance with the procedures approved by the Bankruptcy Court under Sections 363 and 365 of the U. S. Bankruptcy Court.

National Steel's Chairman and Chief Executive Mineo Shimura stated, "The court's ruling today allows us to move closer to a resolution of our Chapter 11 reorganization proceeding. However, we will continue to work on our plans to emerge from Chapter 11 as a stand alone entity in the event that the transaction with AK Steel is not consummated."

Separately, National Steel announced that it has received from the U.S. Department of Justice a Request for Additional Information (Second Request) under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act pertaining to the previously announced proposal by United States Steel Corporation to purchase substantially all of National Steel's principal steelmaking and finishing assets. The Second Request, which was expected, resulted from the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improve-ments Act filing made by National Steel and U.S. Steel in January. The companies intend to cooperate fully.