emirates7 - South Korea’s exports rose by 8.3 percent year-on-year during the first 20 days of June, driven by strong demand for semiconductors, according to data released Monday.

Figures from the Korea Customs Service showed that outbound shipments totaled $38.67 billion from June 1 to 20, up from $35.69 billion during the same period last year.

Yonhap News Agency noted that the daily average export volume increased by 12.2 percent compared to a year earlier. There were 14 working days during the period, slightly fewer than the 14.5 days recorded last year.

Imports during the same timeframe climbed 5.3 percent year-on-year to $36.1 billion, leading to a trade surplus of $2.6 billion.

Semiconductor exports soared 21.8 percent to $8.85 billion, making up 22.9 percent of total exports—an increase of 2.5 percentage points from a year earlier.

Exports of automobiles rose 9.2 percent to $3.65 billion, while vessel shipments surged 47.9 percent to $1.58 billion.

In terms of export destinations, shipments to the U.S. and the European Union grew by 4.3 percent and 23.5 percent, respectively. However, exports to China, South Korea’s largest trading partner, declined by 1 percent during the same period.