The present study clarifies the role of Mn in cementite on the driving force of cementite dissolution and the growth of austenite. From an experimental study, the effects of manganese composition and temperature on the cementite dissolution were shown. From a theoretical analysis based on thermodynamic and kinetics considerations, a criterion for the change from fast to slow regime of cementite dissolution was proposed. This criterion is in good agreement with the experimental results. It can be easily calculated and can define the composition and temperature ranges where the cementite dissolution is slow or fast.