S. Korea`s trade surplus hits record high in April: customs office

SEOUL, May 18 (Yonhap) -- South Korea posted a fresh record-high trade surplus in
April as imports declined faster than exports amid a protracted economic
slowdown, a report showed Monday.
According to the report by the Korea Customs Service, South Korea's trade surplus
amounted to US$5.79 billion last month, up from the previous month's $4.28
billion. The April figure is the highest, renewing the all-time record set in
March.
Exports fell 19.6 percent last month from a year earlier to $30.42 billion, while
imports plunged 35.6 percent over the same period to $24.63 billion, the report
showed.
Overseas shipments to the United States declined 22.7 percent to $3.27 billion,
while imports fell 36.9 percent to $2.27 billion, the report showed.
China-bound exports and imports also contracted 19 percent and 38.9 percent to
$7.05 billion and $4.36 billion, respectively. Exports to Japan plunged 31.8
percent to $1.71 billion with imports falling 28.3 percent to $4.16 billion, the
report showed.
kokobj@yna.co.kr
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