Seoul: South Korea's exports have continued their upward trajectory for the 14th consecutive month in November, primarily fueled by record shipments in the semiconductor sector. Outbound shipments increased by 1.4 percent from the previous year, totaling US$56.3 billion, as per data released by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy. According to Yonhap News Agency, imports, however, declined by 2.4 percent year-on-year to $50.7 billion, resulting in a trade surplus of $5.61 billion. This marks the 18th consecutive month that South Korea has achieved a trade surplus. The semiconductor sector, in particular, saw a remarkable 30.8 percent increase in exports, amounting to $12.5 billion, setting a new record for any November and marking the fourth consecutive month of record highs in chip exports. Conversely, the automobile sector experienced a decline, with exports falling by 13.6 percent year-on-year to $5.6 billion. This decrease was attributed to production disruptions caused by a strike among major au to parts manufacturers, compounded by adverse weather conditions that impacted shipments late in the month. Additionally, exports of petroleum and petrochemical products saw declines of 18.7 percent and 5.6 percent, respectively, due to falling crude oil prices. The biohealth sector, on the other hand, continued its growth trajectory with a 19.6 percent increase year-on-year, reaching $1.4 billion, marking five consecutive months of growth. Exports of ships also saw a significant surge, rising by 70.8 percent year-on-year to $2.5 billion. By destination, exports to China, South Korea's top trading partner, decreased slightly by 0.6 percent, while exports to the United States dropped by 5.1 percent. "In November, there were unexpected hurdles in exports, including the strike by auto parts makers, which led to decreased car production, and weather conditions that disrupted shipments," Industry Minister Ahn Duk-geun stated. "However, South Korea has been able to maintain export growth for 14 straight months, a long with 18 consecutive months of trade surplus, thanks to the strong performance of key items, including chips and ships," Ahn added.