South Korea's exports in January rose more than 30 percent, extending year-on-year growth for an eighth straight month. Semiconductor exports, the country's top export item, more than doubled from a year earlier and topped $20 billion for a second consecutive month, leading overall export growth.
The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy announced the January export and import trends on Saturday.
Exports in January totalled $65.85 billion, up 33.9 percent from the same month a year earlier. It was the highest January result on record. Monthly exports have posted year-on-year gains for eight straight months since turning to growth in June last year.
Semiconductor exports were $20.5 billion, topping $20 billion for a second consecutive month. Semiconductor export growth in January was 103 percent, more than doubling from January last year.
Imports in January were $57.1 billion, up 11.7 percent from the same month a year earlier. The trade balance in January posted an $8.7 billion surplus. The monthly trade balance has remained in surplus for 12 consecutive months since February last year.
[Yonhap]
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