SEOUL (Reuters) -South Korean officials have requested an exemption from U.S. reciprocal, steel and aluminium tariffs during their visit this week to Washington, the industry ministry said in a statement on Friday.

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 is seeking to implement tariffs on some Chinese steel and producers on concerns over an influx of cheaper products flooding the market, following a similar measure from the Trump administration.

The U.S. and South Korean militaries have conducted an aerial exercise involving at least one U.S. B-1B bomber in their first joint air force drill since President Donald Trump began his second term

The exercise marks the countries' first joint air force drill since President Donald Trump began his second term.

South Korea and the United States on Thursday held combined air drills, involving at least one B-1B bomber, the South's Defense Ministry said, in a show of force against North Korean military threats.

North Korean state media on Thursday criticized the United States for a nuclear submarine deal with Australia under the AUKUS partnership signed in 2021, calling it a "threat to regional peace."

North Korea says the AUKUS deal to provide Australia with nuclear-powered submarines is a “threat to regional peace” and has warned of consequences as Canberra makes its first payment to the partnership.