S. Korea posts trade surplus for 6th month in July: customs office

SEOUL, Aug. 16 (Yonhap) -- South Korea posted a trade surplus for the sixth
consecutive month in July as exports grew sharply amid the global recovery, the
nation's customs office said Monday.
According to customs-cleared data provided by the Korea Customs Service, the
nation's trade surplus came to US$5.51 billion last month. Exports totaled $40.95
billion, up 28.3 percent from a year earlier, while imports grew 28 percent to
$35.44 billion.
July's trade surplus was the third-largest ever following $6.52 billion last June
and $6.43 billion in June this year.
Exports to China drove the marked growth in overseas shipments, with monthly
sales in the neighboring Asian country exceeding $10 billion for the first time.
Shipments to the U.S. jumped 39.5 percent in July from a year earlier, while
those to the European Union also surged 45 percent over the same period, the data
showed.
kokobj@yna.co.kr
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