S. Korea`s trade deficit falls to US$1.9 bln in September

SEOUL, Oct. 1 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's trade deficit narrowed to US$1.9 billion
in September from $3.81 billion the month before due mainly to falls in crude oil
and raw material prices, a government report showed Wednesday.
Exports rose 28.7 percent from a year earlier to $37.75 billion last month, while
imports shot up 45.8 percent to $39.65 billion, according to the report by the
Ministry of Knowledge Economy.
September marks the fourth straight month that Asia's fourth-largest economy has
posted a monthly trade deficit.
Crude oil and raw material prices dropped last month, but imports of steel
products increased sharply, the ministry said. Partial strikes at Hyundai Motor
Co. also affected outbound shipments, it added.