(2nd LD) S. Korea's monthly exports hit US$115.3 bln in Oct. on strong chip sales

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SEOUL, Nov. 1 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's exports jumped 93.7 percent to a record US$115.3 billion in October from a year earlier, driven largely by a sharp increase in semiconductor shipments, data showed Sunday.

Strong global demand for semiconductors, coupled with continued investments by major technology companies in artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure, boosted overall exports, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources said in a press release.

Imports rose 36 percent from a year earlier to $72.78 billion, resulting in a trade surplus of $42.5 billion.

This undated file photo shows containers stacked at a port in Pyeongtaek, about 60 kilometers south of Seoul. (Yonhap)

Cumulative exports for the January-October period exceeded $900 billion for the first time, with the ministry projecting that the country's annual exports could reach $1 trillion as early as November if the current trend continues.

By sector, semiconductor exports, a key pillar of Asia's fourth-largest economy, skyrocketed 259 percent from a year earlier to $56.4 billion in October, the release said.

Exports of petroleum products jumped 80 percent to $6.92 billion, while those of petrochemical products rose 27.5 percent to $4 billion.

Cosmetics exports shot up 57.5 percent to $1.44 billion on rising demand in China, the United States and the European Union.

Automobile exports gained 18.1 percent to $6.55 billion, driven by increased overseas demand for gasoline hybrid models.

By destination, exports to China soared 133.6 percent to $26.98 billion, driven by strong shipments of semiconductors and wireless communications equipment.

Exports to China topped $20 billion for the fifth consecutive month.

Shipments to the United States surged 185.8 percent to $24.9 billion, supported by robust demand for semiconductors, computers and electrical equipment used in AI infrastructure.

The monthly report also showed exports to Southeast Asian countries rose 128 percent to $21.33 billion, while those to the European Union increased 56.4 percent to $8.1 billion, with both gains driven by strong shipments of chips and automobiles.

"The global trade environment remains uncertain, with many small and medium-sized enterprises facing difficulties amid rising protectionism in major economies, shifts in global supply chains and geopolitical tensions in the Middle East," Industry Minister Kim Jung-kwan said.

To address these challenges, the government will step up trade cooperation with major export partners and work to remove barriers to exports to ease the burden on businesses, he said.

kyongae.choi@yna.co.kr (END)

(2nd LD) S. Korea's monthly exports hit US$115.3 bln in Oct. on strong chip sales

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首尔，11月1日（韩联社）——周日公布的数据显示，韩国10月份出口额同比增长93.7%，达到创纪录的1153亿美元，这主要得益于半导体出货量的大幅增长。

贸易、工业和资源部在一份新闻稿中表示，全球对半导体的强劲需求，加上主要科技公司对人工智能（AI）基础设施的持续投资，提振了整体出口。

进口额比上年同期增长 36%，达到 727.8 亿美元，贸易顺差为 425 亿美元。

这张未注明日期的资料照片显示，在首尔以南约60公里的平泽港，集装箱堆积如山。（韩联社）

今年1月至10月累计出口额首次​​超过9000亿美元，该部预测，如果目前的趋势继续下去，该国年度出口额最早可能在11月达到1万亿美元。

新闻稿称，按行业划分，半导体出口（亚洲第四大经济体的关键支柱）在10月份比上年同期飙升259%，达到564亿美元。

石油产品出口额增长 80%，达到 69.2 亿美元；石化产品出口额增长 27.5%，达到 40 亿美元。

由于中国、美国和欧盟的需求不断增长，化妆品出口额飙升 57.5%，达到 14.4 亿美元。

受海外对汽油混合动力车型需求增加的推动，汽车出口增长18.1%，达到65.5亿美元。

按目的地划分，对中国的出口额飙升 133.6%，达到 269.8 亿美元，这主要得益于半导体和无线通信设备的强劲出货。

对华出口额连续第五个月超过200亿美元。

受人工智能基础设施中使用的半导体、计算机和电气设备的强劲需求支撑，对美国的出货量激增 185.8%，达到 249 亿美元。

月度报告还显示，对东南亚国家的出口增长了 128%，达到 213.3 亿美元，对欧盟的出口增长了 56.4%，达到 81 亿美元，这两项增长均得益于芯片和汽车的强劲出货量。

“全球贸易环境依然不明朗，许多中小企业在主要经济体保护主义抬头​​、全球供应链转移以及中东地缘政治紧张局势加剧的情况下，面临着诸多困难，”产业通商资源部长官金正宽表示。

他表示，为应对这些挑战，政府将加强与主要出口伙伴的贸易合作，努力消除出口壁垒，以减轻企业的负担。

kyongae.choi@yna.co.kr (完)

（第二部分）受强劲的芯片销售推动，韩国10月份出口额达到1153亿美元