South Korea's trade surplus hits new high in 2013
2014-01-02 15:32:04
South Korea's trade surplus widened to a new high of $44.19 billion in 2013, helped by steady growth in exports, government data showed on Wednesday.
Total exports in 2013 rose 2.2 per cent from a year ago to a record high of $559.72 billion while imports fell 0.8 per cent to $515.53 billion, according to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy.
The trade balance has been in the black since February 2012.
In December alone, exports climbed 7.1 per cent year-on-year to $48.05 billion and imports rose 3.0 per cent to $44.38 billion.
Economic officials said Asia's fourth-largest economy would remain on track for recovery.
The government has predicted the economy would grow 2.8 per cent in 2013 and 3.9 per cent in 2014.