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(Sejong=Yonhap Infomax) Jun Hyung Park = South Korea’s exports climbed 8.2% year-on-year in the first 20 days of November, driven by robust shipments of semiconductors and passenger vehicles, both posting double-digit gains.
According to data released by the Korea Customs Service on the 21st, exports totaled $38.5 billion from November 1 to 20, up 8.2% from the same period a year earlier. The number of working days remained unchanged at 15.5, resulting in average daily exports rising from $2.29 billion to $2.48 billion, also an 8.2% increase.
Key export items saw notable growth:
- Semiconductors: +26.5%
- Passenger vehicles: +22.9%
- Ships: +2.3%
However, exports of petroleum products (-19.3%) and auto parts (-8.1%) declined. The share of semiconductors in total exports rose by 3.7 percentage points to 25.3%.
By destination, exports to China (+10.2%), the United States (+5.7%), and the European Union (+4.9%) increased, while shipments to Vietnam (-2.5%) and Japan (-3.9%) fell. The combined share of China, the US, and the EU accounted for 48.3% of total exports.
This month’s imports reached $36.1 billion, up 3.7% from a year earlier. Imports rose for machinery (+13.6%), precision instruments (+8.2%), and passenger vehicles (+35.6%), but fell for semiconductors (-3.8%) and crude oil (-16.4%). Energy imports—including crude oil, gas, and coal—declined 17.5%.
By country, imports increased from China (+5.6%), the US (+13.5%), the EU (+15.2%), and Japan (+1.0%), while imports from Taiwan edged down (-0.1%).
South Korea posted a trade surplus of $2.4 billion during the period, as exports outpaced imports.
jhpark6@yna.co.kr
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