Inter-Korean trade volume suffered relatively minimal losses last year despite a recession and complexities related to North Korea's nuclear activities.

According to data from the Korea Customs Service, trade volume between the two Koreas fell eight-and-a-half percent to about one-point-seven billion dollars last year.

South Korea exported 730 million dollars worth of goods to the North and imported 930 million dollars worth for a 200-million-dollar deficit.

Last year was ridden with negative factors, including the recession, the North's nuclear test in May and an inter-Korean clash on the Yellow Sea. But cross-border trade recovered in the fourth quarter to secure a modest yearly loss.

South-North trade has steadily increased over the years from 705 million dollars in 2004 to over one-point-eight billion dollars in 2008.