South Korea's exports fell 8.7 percent in the first 20 days of April from a year earlier on decreased overseas shipments of semiconductors, customs data showed Monday.
The country's exports stood at US$29.7 billion in the April 1-20 period, compared with $32.5 billion in the same period last year, according to the Korea Customs Service.
The customs office said daily average exports -- which reflect working days -- declined 11.5 percent on-year to $1.8 billion.
By product, exports of semiconductors and car parts fell 24.7 percent and 4.1 percent, respectively, while outbound shipments of passenger cars and wireless communication devices rose 4.1 percent and 39.9 percent, respectively.
By destination, South Korea's exports to the United States and Vietnam went up 3.5 percent and 4.6 percent, respectively. But South Korea's shipments to the European Union and Japan dropped 0.3 percent and 4.8 percent, respectively.
South Korea imported goods worth $30.7 billion in the 20-day period, down 1.2 percent from a year earlier.(Yonhap)