South Korea's exports rose 52.3 percent from a year earlier in the first 20 days of July as overseas shipments of semiconductors nearly tripled amid the ongoing artificial intelligence boom, customs data showed Tuesday.
Outbound shipments reached $54.9 billion in the July 1-20 period, compared with $36 billion tallied in the same period last year, according to the data from the Korea Customs Service.
Imports went up 20 percent on-year to $42.7 billion over the cited period, resulting in a trade surplus of $12.2 billion.
By sector, exports of semiconductors continued to lead the overall gains, jumping 180 percent to $22.1 billion.
Outbound shipments of petroleum products moved up 33.4 percent to $3.41 billion, while exports of automobiles fell 10.6 percent to $3.24 billion.
Exports of steel products and ships rose 11.1 percent and 70.8 percent, respectively, to $2.64 billion and $2.44 billion.
By destination, exports to China nearly doubled to $13.3 billion, and those to the United States rose 39.6 percent to $8.96 billion.
Cumulative exports this year through Monday came to $551.2 billion, up 48.7 percent from a year earlier. (Yonhap)
