Korea’s exports dropped 14.6 percent on-year in the first 20 days of January, hit by a plunge in overseas shipments of semiconductors, customs data showed Monday.
The country’s exports stood at $25.7 billion in the January 1-20 period, according to Korea Customs Service.
The customs office said daily average exports — which reflect working days — declined 8.7 percent on-year to $1.77 billion.
By product, exports of semiconductors nosedived 28.8 percent, while shipments of passenger cars jumped 29 percent.
In the first 20 days of the month, South Korea’s imports fell 9.5 percent on-year to reach $27.2 billion, resulting in a trade deficit of $1.62 billion, the KCS said.
By destination, South Korea’s exports to the United States, the European Union and Singapore rose 16.9 percent, 4 percent and 2.7 percent, respectively.
