Trade surplus grows in November on global rebound: customs office

SEOUL, Dec. 14 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's trade surplus increased in November from
a month earlier as exports rose amid mounting signs of a global economic rebound,
the customs office said Monday.
The nation's trade surplus amounted to US$4.62 billion last month, compared with
$3.62 billion a month earlier, according to a report by the Korea Customs
Service.
Exports amounted to $34.08 billion, up 18.1 percent from a year earlier, while
imports rose 2.1 percent to $29.46 billion over the same period. The figures
marked the first time in a year that both exports and imports grew.
Sales of semiconductors, flat panels and other household electronics led the
nation's export growth. Overseas shipments of semiconductors and liquid crystal
display devices jumped 85.2 percent and 64.2 percent, respectively, from a year
earlier, the report showed.
The customs office predicted that exports will continue to grow down the road,
saying the nation will post a trade surplus of around $4 billion in December. The
nation's cumulative trade surplus for this year is expected to surpass the $40
billion mark.
kokobj@yna.co.kr
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