Exports fall 3% on Oct. 1-20...Semiconductors up 36%

Until the middle of this month, Korea's exports fell by nearly 3% due to the decrease in working days.

The Korea Customs Service said exports from the 1st to 20th of this month were $32.8 billion, down 2.9% from the same period last year.

However, based on the number of working days excluding holidays, average daily exports increased by 1%.

By major items, semiconductor exports rose 36.1% and computer peripherals rose 15.6%, but passenger cars fell 3.3% and petroleum products fell 40%.

Imports were $33.8 billion, down 10.1% from the same period last year and a $1 billion deficit in the trade balance.

The government said exports fell temporarily due to a lack of working days through the 20th of this month, but solid growth in semiconductors and automobiles, the two major export items, is expected to boost exports for the 13th consecutive month.