SEOUL: Sales in South Korea's transportation industry experienced a slight decline in 2023, attributed to a decrease in demand for water transportation despite a rebound in air travel. The overall sales figures dropped slightly compared to the previous year, as reported by statistical data released on Thursday. According to Yonhap News Agency, sales in the transportation sector reached 226.7 trillion won (US$158.5 billion) in 2023, marking a 2.5 percent decrease from the previous year. The decline was primarily driven by a significant downturn in the water transport sector, which saw sales plummet by 30.3 percent to 44.2 trillion won. In contrast, the air transport sector experienced a notable increase, with sales soaring by 24.5 percent to 29.1 trillion won, as international travel surged in the post-pandemic era. The data also highlighted a modest growth in the storage and delivery service sector, which recorded a 1.3 percent increase in sales for the year. Additionally, the number of transportation compa nies in South Korea rose by 2.4 percent to 613,000 by the end of 2023. The combined workforce within the industry also saw growth, expanding by 3.1 percent to reach 1.37 million employees.