S.Korea's exports keep growth trend for 10 days in April

South Korea's exports kept a growth trend for the first 10 days of April thanks to solid demand for locally-made semiconductors, customs data showed on Tuesday.

Exports, which account for about half of the export-driven economy, amounted to 11.2 billion U.S. dollars in the April 1-10 period, up 6.1 percent from the same period of last year, according to the Korea Customs Service.

The country's exports kept growing for five months through March, in which the overseas shipments jumped 13.7 percent.

Daily average exports in the April 1-10 period reached 1.6 billion dollars, up 6.1 percent from a year earlier.

Semiconductor exports jumped 51.8 percent, leading this month's exports. Demand was strong for chips used for smartphones.

Auto exports advanced 23.3 percent, with those for telecommunication devices including smartphones expanding 7.8 percent.

Shipments of oil products declined on lower crude oil prices, with those for auto parts sliding 21 percent.

By country, exports to Vietnam and Japan posted a double-digit gain, with those to the United States and China growing 18 percent and 10 percent respectively.

Imports surged 24.8 percent to 12.3 billion dollars in the cited period, sending trade surplus to a deficit of 1.1 billion dollars. Endit