This marked the fifth consecutive year that the nation’s trade surplus has exceeded $25 billion.
Exports fared well in 2013, amounting to a record high of $559.6 billion last year, up 2.1 percent from 2012, while imports inched down 0.8 percent on-year to $515.6 billion, according to the Korea Customs Service.
Vehicles and auto parts led the export growth. Outbound shipments of vehicles and auto components grew 4.5 percent and 6 percent last year from 2012, respectively.
Exports of petroleum products, liquid-crystal display panels and vessels decreased 6 percent, 8.4 percent and 5.4 percent, respectively.
By country, exports to China and the United States – both are major trading partners - rose 8.6 percent and 6 percent, respectively, largely contributing to the increase in trade surplus.
Shipments to the EU, Southeast Asia and Japan decreased.
Imports from China, the EU and Southeast Asia grew 2.8 percent, 11.6 percent and 2.7 percent, whereas those from the United States, Japan, Australia, the Middle East, and Central and South America declined, the report said.
reporter
Park Sae-jin
swatchsjp@ajunews.com