September exports $58.8 billion...No. 1 export in September ever

[Anchor]
Last month, our exports continued to increase for 12 consecutive months to $58.8 billion, especially last month's exports reached the highest ever in September.

Exports of semiconductors, in particular, reached $13.6 billion, the highest on a monthly basis throughout all months.

I'm connecting with a reporter to find out more. Reporter Choi Doohee!

How much did exports increase last month?

[Reporter]
The Korea Customs Service announced the status of exports and imports in September.

Exports reached $58.8 billion, up 7.5% from the same period last year, the report showed.

As a result, exports have increased for 12 consecutive months compared to the same month last year,

Since the export growth turned positive in October last year, the trend has continued for a year until last month.

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy explained that exports in September this year ranked first among all September.

In particular, daily average exports, excluding holidays due to the Chuseok holiday, reached $2.94 billion, the highest ever in all months.

Imports in September were $52.1 billion, up 2.2% from the same period last year.

In September, the trade balance posted a surplus of $6.7 billion, continuing its 16th straight month of surplus.

[Anchor]
In the case of exports, exports of six of Korea's 15 major export items increased? Above all, is it noticeable that semiconductor exports recorded the highest performance ever?

[Reporter]
Exports of six items, namely semiconductors, wireless communication devices, computers, automobiles, ships, and biohealth items, increased.

First of all, if you look at semiconductor exports, which are the largest export items.

It hit $13.6 billion, beating the record in three months since June.

The increase continued for 11 consecutive months.

Computer exports rose by triple digits, or 132% to $1.5 billion, for the ninth consecutive month, and wireless communication device exports rose by $1.9 billion for the seventh consecutive month.

In the case of automobile exports, the second-largest export item.

Despite fewer working days, it rose 4.9% from the same period last year to $5.5 billion.

In particular, it achieved its highest performance as of September and switched to a plus in four months.

Ship exports also rose 76.2% to $2.4 billion, while biohealth exports rose 9.9% to $1.2 billion.

The government said exports are clearly showing what it calls a "high" trend this year, and that it will provide all-out support for such a strong trend to continue through the end of the year.

So far, the Ministry of Economy has informed you.