South Korea's exports surged 49.4 percent year-on-year to $50.4 billion in the first 20 days of April, driven by robust semiconductor demand, Korea Customs Service data showed Tuesday. Imports rose 17.7 percent to $39.9 billion, yielding a $10.4 billion trade surplus.
South Korea's outbound shipments reached $50.4 billion in the April 1-20 period, up from $33.7 billion a year earlier, according to data from the Korea Customs Service released Tuesday. This marked the highest figure for the first 20 days of any April on record.
Semiconductor exports spiked 182.5 percent to $18.3 billion, while computers and related equipment soared 399 percent to $2.2 billion. Petroleum products rose 48.4 percent to $3.2 billion, ships jumped 76.6 percent to $1.8 billion, and steel gained 8.6 percent to $2.6 billion. Automobiles and auto parts declined 14.1 percent to $3.1 billion and 8.8 percent to $1.1 billion, respectively.
By destination, exports to China expanded 70.9 percent to $11.2 billion and to the United States climbed 51.7 percent to $9.3 billion. Shipments to Vietnam, the European Union, and Japan grew 79.2 percent to $5.5 billion, 10.5 percent to $4.4 billion, and 40.7 percent to $2.1 billion, respectively.
Imports increased 17.7 percent to $39.9 billion, with crude oil imports up 13.1 percent to $4.8 billion for the third straight month amid rising global oil prices due to the ongoing Middle Eastern crisis.
