South Korea's Nov. exports up 18.8 percent

The Ministry of Knowledge Economy said the November numbers, driven by semiconductors, displays and petrochemicals, were the 10th straight month of year-to-year increase, Yonhap news agency reported.

November exports rose 18.8 percent to $34.27 billion, while imports rose 4.7 percent from the same month of last year to $30.22 billion, resulting in a $4.05 billion surplus, up from $3.63 billion in October.

"A surge in exports of such products as semiconductors, liquid crystal displays and petrochemicals all helped push up exports last month," said Kang Myung-soo, head of the ministry's export-import division.

In the first 11 months of this year, South Korean exports totaled $328.31 billion and imports $290.49 billion for a trade surplus of $37.82 billion.

Copyright 2009 by United Press International.