SEOUL, March 15 (Reuters) - South Korea's trade minister has asked his U.S. counterpart to exempt the country from reciprocal tariffs if they go into effect in April, the trade ministry said on Saturday.

During his visit to Washington this week, Trade Minister Cheong In-kyo met U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, and stressed that South Korea should not get unfavourable treatment, the ministry said in a statement.