(MENAFN) South Korea recorded modest export growth during the opening 10 days of November, driven primarily by robust global appetite for the nation's semiconductor products and motor vehicles, according to official trade figures released Tuesday.

The Korea Customs Service reported outbound shipments totaling $15.82 billion between Nov. 1-10, marking a 6.4 percent year-over-year increase.

The moderate pace of expansion reflected powerful double-digit gains in two critical manufacturing sectors that anchored overall trade performance.

Chip exports exploded by 17.7 percent during the period, while automotive sector shipments climbed 16.2 percent compared to the corresponding timeframe in 2023.

Maritime vessel exports posted an 8.7 percent uptick, though this was offset by steep declines across other key categories. Petroleum product shipments, mobile device exports, and steel merchandise all contracted by double-digit percentages.

Meanwhile, South Korea's import bill swelled to $17.04 billion in the first 10 days of November—an 8.2 percent jump from the prior year—resulting in a trade shortfall of $1.22 billion for the period.

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