Korea logs trade surplus for 17th month in June

South Korea logged a trade surplus for the 17th straight month in June despite tough external market conditions, customs data showed Sunday.

South Korea’s exports came to $46.7 billion last month, down 1 percent from the same period a year earlier. Its imports dropped 3 percent on-year to $40.7 billion, according to the data provided by the Korea Customs Service.

As a result, the country logged $6 billion in trade surplus in June, marking the 17th straight month of a surplus since February last year.

During the first half, the total trading volume ― exports and imports ― came to $533.2 billion, down 1.1 percent from a year earlier.

The country still registered a cumulative $20 billion trade surplus in the January-June period, compared with $10.9 billion won tallied during the same period a year before, the data showed.

South Korea logged exports of $276.6 billion during the first half, up 0.6 percent from a year earlier. Imports shrank 2.8 percent on-year to $256.6 billion during the same period.

In June, exports of ships expanded 9.1 percent on-year, while those of chemical and semiconductor products grew 7.1 percent and 6.6 percent, the data showed.

Exports of steel items, however, dropped 9.4 percent and those of mobile communications devices, oil products and machinery fell 7.4 percent, 7.2 percent and 4.3 percent, respectively. (Yonhap News)