(LEAD) Exports up 56 pct in first 20 days of Aug. on robust chip shipments

South Korea's exports soared 56 percent in the first 20 days of August, according to customs data released on Friday, with semiconductor shipments hitting a record high. The value of outbound shipments totaled $55.2 billion during the period, marking the highest level for any August 20-day span. Imports climbed 19 percent year-on-year to $41.2 billion, resulting in a trade surplus of $14 billion.

The daily average exports rose 61.5 percent from a year ago to $3.94 billion. Semiconductor exports nearly tripled to $26 billion, accounting for 47.2 percent of total exports, which is a 22.5 percentage point increase from the previous year. Petroleum product exports increased by 56.4 percent to $4.23 billion, while steel exports grew by 9.7 percent to $2.39 billion.

Automobile exports, however, dropped 45.1 percent to $1.52 billion. Exports to China surged more than double to $15.26 billion, while shipments to the United States grew by 59.4 percent to $7.97 billion. Through Thursday, accumulated exports for the year stood at $650.2 billion, a 51 percent increase from the previous year.