[THE INVESTOR]  South Korean exports climbed 1.2 percent on-year in the first 20 days of October, customs data showed on Oct. 21.

The country’s exports totaled US$24.99 billion on Oct. 1-20, up from $24.7 billion tallied over the same period last year, according to the Korea Customs Service.

It turned around from an 18.2 percent plunge tallied over the first 10 days of the month.

A rise in the semiconductor and shipbuilding sectors led the rebound, with exports of chips gaining 2.5 percent on-year and those of vessels soaring 52.4 percent over the 20-day period, KCS officials said.

However, shipments of cars and wireless devices tumbled 15.6 percent and 28.1 percent, respectively, due to partial strikes at major carmakers, including industry leader Hyundai Motor, and the worldwide recall and production halt of Samsung Electronics’ Galaxy Note 7.

(theinvestor@heraldcorp.com)