Seoul: South Korea's exports continued to rise for the 14th consecutive month in November, driven by a strong performance in the semiconductor sector. Data released on Sunday highlighted a 1.4 percent increase in outbound shipments compared to the same period last year, reaching a total of US$56.3 billion. According to Yonhap News Agency, this growth in exports was significantly supported by the record-breaking shipments of chips, which soared by 30.8 percent to $12.5 billion, the highest ever recorded for the month of November. The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy compiled the data that underscored the robust demand for semiconductors in the global market. While exports saw an upward trend, imports declined by 2.4 percent year-on-year to $50.7 billion. This decline resulted in South Korea achieving a trade surplus of $5.61 billion. The country has been in a trade surplus position for 18 consecutive months, reflecting a stable and favorable balance of trade.