South Korea's industry minister requested a tariff exemption in talks with the U.S. administration, Seoul's industry ministry said on Saturday, as Washington moves forward with plans to impose new tariffs.

South Korean officials have asked the Trump administration to exclude their country from U.S. plans to impose aggressive tariffs on trade partners, emphasizing that Seoul is already applying low duties on American products under the free trade agreement between the two nations.

South Korea has asked the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump to exclude the country from proposed tariffs, citing an existing free trade agreement and low import duties, Seoul's Trade Ministry said Friday.

South Korea's exports barely grew in February, missing market expectations, with demand in key markets hurt amid a global trade war triggered by U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs. Outbound shipments from Asia's fourth-largest economy stood at $52.

South Korea's exports edged up 1 percent from a year earlier in February thanks to an increase in overseas sales of computers and automobiles, data showed Saturday. Outbound shipments came to US$52.6 billion last month,

South Koreas exports are expected to rise 3.8% in February from a year earlier, driven mainly by more working days, according to a Reuters poll of 18 economists. However, trade momentum is weakening amid escalating

South Korea's exports barely grew in February, missing market expectations, with demand in China hurt amid a global tariff war.