U. S. Congress has been urged on Wednesday by automakers to challenge Japan and South Korea on the issue of currency devaluation, which influences export prices.

The Detroit Free Press reported on Wednesday that South Korea has recently made moves to depreciate the value of the won, while Japanese officials said they were prepared to keep the yen from appreciating.

While making U. S. products more expensive overseas, lower values of foreign currencies make foreign exports more affordable in the United States.

"We urge you to communicate that any decision to proceed with or continue such interventionist policies will be strongly and directly challenged by the United States in defense of fairness and American jobs," said General Motors Co., Chrysler Group and Ford Motors Corp., through the American Automotive Policy Council, in a letter to Congress.

"Our workers are losing their jobs because countries like China continue to place artificial discounts of up to 40 percent on their products and then sell them here in Michigan at a cheaper price," said Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich. (With Inputs from Agencies)