Source : WAM
South Korea’s exports rose 6.8 percent from a year earlier during the first 20 days of December, driven largely by strong global demand for semiconductors, according to data released Monday by the Korea Customs Service.
Outbound shipments totaled US$43 billion from December 1 to 20, up from $40 billion recorded during the same period last year, Yonhap News Agency reported.
This figure represents a record high for the period, surpassing the previous peak set last year.
Semiconductor exports surged 41.8 percent year on year to $11.65 billion, making up 27.1 percent of the nation’s total exports during the period.
In contrast, automobile exports declined 12.7 percent to $3.25 billion, while petroleum shipments fell 1 percent to $2.63 billion.
Imports edged up 0.7 percent from a year earlier to $39.2 billion, resulting in a trade surplus of $3.8 billion.
In November, South Korea’s exports climbed 8.4 percent year on year to $61 billion, marking the sixth straight month of growth, again supported by robust semiconductor demand.
