SEOUL, June 13 (Reuters) - South Korean President Lee

Jae-myung said on Friday that his government would focus on

easing regulations and helping companies on trade issues.

His comments were made at a meeting with heads of top

conglomerates and other business leaders. He sat between

Samsung Electronics ( SSNLF ) Chairman Jay Y. Lee and Hyundai

Motor Group Executive Chair Euisun Chung.

SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won also attended the meeting,

according to the president's office.

The future of South Korea's export-oriented economy may

hinge on what kind of tariff deal Lee can strike with U.S.

President Donald Trump, with all of his country's key sectors

from chips to autos and shipbuilding heavily exposed to global

trade.

"Companies are currently having difficulties in

international competition, and we will focus on minimising the

difficulties they are experiencing in international competition

and expanding their economic territory," Lee said at the

meeting.

"Please tell us what we should do regarding overseas trade

situations, and we will do our best to align with those," he

told the executives.

Lee, a liberal, was elected on June 3 with promises to

become business-friendly.

(Reporting by Ju-min Park; Editing by Himani Sarkar and

Muralikumar Anantharaman)