SEOUL, Sept. 23 (Xinhua) -- South Korea's export slightly fell in the first 20 days of this month due to less business days, customs office data showed Monday.
Outbound shipment shrank 1.1 percent from a year earlier to 35.58 billion U.S. dollars in the September 1-20 period, according to Korea Customs Service.
The downturn came as the Chuseok holiday, or an autumn harvest celebration, slashed the number of working days by 2.5 days in the cited period.
The daily average export spiked 18.0 percent in the 20-day period. The monthly export maintained an upward trend for the 11th consecutive month through August.
Import decreased 4.5 percent to 34.78 billion dollars in the September 20-day period, sending the trade surplus to 799 million dollars.
Semiconductor export soared 26.2 percent to 7.48 billion dollars in the cited period, but automotive shipment shed 8.8 percent to 2.98 billion dollars.
Shipment for oil products, steel and mobile devices diminished in single figures, while those for auto parts, precision machinery and home appliances retreated in double digits.
Import for crude oil, machinery, oil products, coal and cars lost ground in the 20-day period. ■
