October's exports are the highest ever...Semiconductors and automobiles 'maximum performance'

Last month's exports amounted to $57.5 billion...4.6% year-on-year ↑
October's Highest Performance Ever...13th consecutive month of increase in exports
Last month's revenue was $54.4 billion...1.7% year-on-year ↑
Trade surplus of $3.2 billion...17th consecutive month of surplus

[Anchor]
Last month, Korea's exports recorded the highest performance ever as of October.

Semiconductors and automobiles, the two major export items, recorded their highest performance ever in October, leading to an increase in exports.

I'm connecting with a reporter from the Ministry of Economy to find out more. Reporter Choi Ayoung!

How much did exports increase last month?

[Reporter]
Yes, it increased by nearly 5% compared to October last year.

Last month, exports rose 4.6% from last year to $57.5 billion.

This is the highest performance ever among exports in October.

As a result, exports, the cornerstone of our economy, have continued to increase for 13 consecutive months.

Imports increased 1.7% to $54.4 billion last month.

The trade balance was $3.2 billion, the 17th consecutive month of surplus.

In addition, the cumulative trade surplus until last month this year was $39.9 billion, the largest since 2018.

[Anchor]
Semiconductors and automobiles must have been a profitable export destination last month, right?

[Reporter]
Most of Korea's major export items showed an increase.

As expected, semiconductors stood out.

Exports of semiconductors reached $12.5 billion last month, up more than 40% from last year.

It broke the record in six years with its biggest performance ever as of October.

It's also one of the two biggest export items.

Automobile exports rose 5.5% from last year to $6.2 billion, also the highest performance as of October.

On top of that, the two major export markets were also strong.

Exports to China hit a new 25-month high, and exports to the U.S. were also at their highest levels as of October.

As exports continued to rise, the government's target of $700 billion in exports was also given a green light.

However, the government plans to closely check and respond to the external situation such as the situation in the Middle East and the U.S. presidential election.

So far, I'm YTN Choi Ah-young in the Ministry of Economy.