Exports rose more than eight percent in the first 20 days of June. 
 
According to preliminary data from the Korea Customs Service on Monday, the country’s outbound shipments reached 38-point-seven billion U.S. dollars during the cited period, up eight-point-three percent from a year earlier.

Average daily exports rose 12-point-two percent, with the number of working days decreasing by a half day to 14 days.  

The rise was led by growth in semiconductors, the nation’s major export item, with shipments increasing 21-point-eight percent from a year earlier to eight-point-nine billion dollars.

Auto shipments increased nine-point-two percent during the period, thanks to a rise in auto exports to Canada and the European Union.  

Exports to the United States and the European Union increased four-point-three percent and 23-point-five percent, respectively, while shipments to China decreased one percent. 

Imports increased five-point-three percent year-on-year to 36-point-one billion dollars, resulting in a trade surplus of two-point-six billion dollars.