Accra:Seoul South Korea's exports more than doubled during the first 20 days of October, driven by robust semiconductor shipments, according to customs data released on Wednesday. Outbound shipments reached a record $61.6 billion in the October 1-20 period, marking the highest figure for the first 20 days of October.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the daily average export value in terms of business days also hit a record $4.74 billion. Imports increased by 42.8 percent year-on-year to $47.1 billion, resulting in a trade surplus of $14.5 billion during the same period.

Exports of semiconductors saw a significant increase of 222.5 percent, reaching $27.5 billion and accounting for 44.7 percent of South Korea's total exports. This represents an increase of 16.2 percentage points from the previous year. Additionally, exports of petroleum products rose by 68.3 percent to $3.94 billion, while automobile shipments increased by 40.9 percent to $3.35 billion. Steel product exports climbed 42.6 percent to $2.58 billion.

Exports to China soared by 154.4 percent to $16.6 billion, and shipments to the United States increased by 154.9 percent to $10.7 billion. Meanwhile, exports to Vietnam and the European Union rose by 74.6 percent and 78.2 percent, respectively. Overall, from January 1 through the latest report, South Korea's combined exports amounted to $876.3 billion, a 59.5 percent increase from the previous year, with a total trade surplus of $266.9 billion so far this year.