[THE INVESTOR] South Korea’s exports of information and communications technology products fell 5.1 percent in June mainly due to slowing sales of mobile devices and displays, government data showed on July 14.

ICT exports hit US$13.48 billion last month, down from $14.21 billion a year ago, according to the data compiled by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy.

Exports of ICT goods took up 29.8 percent of the country’s US$45.3 billion in total shipments abroad over the cited period.

South Korea’s exports fell 2.7 percent in June, marking the 18th consecutive drop since the first month of last year beset by a global recession and low oil prices.

Imports of foreign ICT products edged down 1.1 percent on-year to US$7.29 billion last month, with the country logging a trade surplus of $6.19 billion in the sector.

The Trade Ministry said weak exports of display panels and mobile phones led the decline due to oversupply and flaccid demand in the sectors.

Shipments of flat screens tumbled 24.4 percent on-year to US$2.12 billion and those of mobile gadgets slid 8.3 percent on-year to US$2.06 billion over the period.

Overseas sales of semiconductors also contracted 0.5 percent to US$5.28 billion, narrowing from a 4.4-percent fall and 11.9 percent drop in May and April, respectively.

By region, shipments to China and the European Union dipped 6.7 percent and 9.1 percent on-year, respectively, while those to Vietnam jumped 20.1 percent, the data showed.

(theinvestor@heraldcorp.com)