SEOUL (XINHUA) – South Korea’s exports grew by 5.8 per cent year-on-year in the first 20 days of this month largely due to solid demand for locally-made semiconductors, leading to a trade surplus of USD798 million, customs office data showed yesterday.
Outbound shipment stood at USD35.61 billion in the November 1-20 period, according to Korea Customs Service. Semiconductor exports soared 42.5 per cent to USD7.71 billion in the cited period, but automotive shipment dived 17.7 per cent to USD3.1 billion.
Exports for ships, steel products and computers swelled in double figures, but those for oil products, mobile devices, precision machinery and home appliances declined in double digits.
Imports shrank 1.0 per cent to USD34.81 billion in the same period. Notably, imports for crude oil, oil products, mobile devices and cars suffered a double-digit fall.
The country’s monthly exports kept an upward trend for the 13th consecutive month through October.
