SEOUL, June 23 (Xinhua) -- South Korea's export grew in the first 20 days of this month due to higher demand for locally-made semiconductors, cars and ships, customs office data showed Monday.
Outbound shipment gained 8.3 percent from a year earlier to 38.67 billion U.S. dollars during the June 1-20 period, according to Korea Customs Service.
The daily average export advanced 12.2 percent to 2.76 billion dollars in the 20-day period.
Semiconductor export soared 21.8 percent to 8.86 billion dollars in the cited period, and automotive shipment rose 9.2 percent to 3.66 billion dollars.
Export for ships surged 47.9 percent to 1.58 billion dollars, but those for mobile devices and home appliances dived in double digits.
Import swelled 5.3 percent to 36.05 billion dollars for the first 20 days of this month, sending the trade surplus to 2.62 billion dollars.
Import for chips, cars, precision machinery and semiconductor equipment went up in double figures, but those for oil products and coal retreated in double digits. ■