South Korea's Exports Drop for 12th Month in September

South Korea's exports fell for the 12th consecutive month due to weak global demand for its products, particularly semiconductors and oil products, government data was quoted by Xinhua News Agency as showing.

Exports, which account for about half of South Korean economy, shrank 4.4% from a year earlier to $54.66 billion in September, continuing to decline since October last year, according to the country's Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy.

 Imports tumbled 16.5 % to $50.96 billion last month compared to the same month of last year; the trade balance recorded a surplus of $3.7 billion.