South Korea’s exports unexpectedly expanded for a third consecutive month in April, even as President Trump’s sweeping tariffs have started to hurt international trade.

Instead of retreating, South Korea is accelerating trade liberalization, with agreements signed with dozens of countries since 2018.

SEJONG, South Korea (Reuters) -A senior South Korean government official on Monday ruled out that it would agree to a trade package with the United States by the Asian country's presidential election on June 3, and flagged challenges to reaching a deal even before early July.