S. Korea's exports surge in H1 amid economic recovery

South Korea's exports expanded 34.4 percent year-on-year in the first half on the back of an economic recovery, a government report said Thursday.

According to the report by the Korea Customs Service (KCS), exports totaled a record high of 221.5 billion U.S. dollars during the January-June period, up from a 164.8 billion U.S. dollars a year ago.

Meanwhile, imports also marked a sharp growth of 40.2 percent year-on-year, hitting 203.9 billion U.S. dollars, with the nation' s trade surplus for the cited period topping 17.6 billion U.S. dollars.

The large gain in exports, according to the KCS, came as the recounting global economy boosted demand for locally made semiconductors and vehicles.

Meanwhile, exports in June also jumped 30.1 percent to a monthly record of 41.9 billion U.S. dollars, while imports rose 38. 2 percent to 35.5 billion U.S. dollars, summing up the month's trade surplus at 6.4 billion U.S. dollars, according to the report.
(Source:xinhua)