Seoul: South Korea will continue to closely monitor developments in the global trade environment to maintain the upward momentum in the country's outbound shipments, the trade ministry said Monday. The remark came as South Korea saw its exports rise 9 percent on-year during the January-October period, driven by chips, automobiles, and ships. According to Yonhap News Agency, during the first 20 days of November, exports also increased 5.8 percent from a year earlier, raising hopes that the country will post growth in outbound shipments for the 14th consecutive month. "While major products are maintaining solid export growth, we need to thoroughly assess the external trade environment amid abrupt changes in the global trading landscape," Vice Industry Minister Park Sung-taek said during a meeting. "We must proactively support businesses' exports by addressing uncertainties and creating opportunities, especially ahead of the launch of the new U.S. administration," Park added. The trade ministry, meanwhile, pla ns to announce a full export report for November on Sunday.