[Breaking] August exports up 1.3%…Semiconductors 'record high' 15.1 billion dollars

August exports increased by 1.3% compared with last year, continuing a year-on-year increase for three consecutive months. Exports of semiconductors, the largest export item, posted record-high results.

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy announced on the 1st the 'August trade in goods' report containing these details.

August exports were 58.4 billion dollars, up 1.3% compared with the same month last year. Monthly exports fell 1.3% year-on-year in May but rebounded in June, maintaining a positive trend for three consecutive months.

Semiconductor exports were 15.1 billion dollars, up 27.1% year-on-year, rewriting the record for the highest performance.

Automobile exports were 5.5 billion dollars, up 8.6%, marking the highest-ever performance for August. Although exports to the United States decreased due to tariff effects, strong performance in Europe and Asia drove overall exports.

By major countries, exports to the United States were 8.74 billion dollars, down 12%, and exports to China were 11.01 billion dollars, down 2.9%.

Korea's August imports were 51.89 billion dollars, down 4% from last year. The August trade balance recorded a surplus of 6.51 billion dollars.

Yonghyun Shin Hankyung.com reporter yonghyun@hankyung.com