AsianFin -- South Korea’s top finance official has joined a high-level delegation in Washington in a last-minute effort to clinch a trade agreement with the United States, Seoul said on Wednesday, as negotiators face mounting pressure ahead of a looming deadline.

Finance Minister Koo Yun-cheol met with U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick for two hours of talks, alongside Industry Minister Kim Jung-kwan and Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo, who have been in Washington since last week, a spokesperson for the South Korean ministry said. The meeting comes as South Korea seeks to bridge gaps with a key U.S. official known for driving a tough bargain.