S. Korean exports plunge 18.3 pct in November

SEOUL, Dec. 1 (Yonhap) -- South Korean exports nosedived 18.3 percent from a year
earlier to US$29.26 billion in November due to a global economic downturn, a
government report showed Monday.
The country's imports also dropped 14.6 percent to $28.96 billion last month,
resulting in a trade surplus of $297 million, according to the report by the
Ministry of Knowledge Economy.
Ship exports surged 34.7 percent, but overseas shipments of all major export
items dropped. Imports of crude oil fell 15.4 percent, helping the nation post a
trade surplus, the report said.
The trade surplus marks the third time this year that total exports exceeded
imports on a monthly basis. The nation's trade deficit came to $13.34 billion in
the first 11 months of this year.
yonngong@yna.co.kr
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