South Korea's exports of information and communication technology (ICT) products rose 7.6 percent in November from a year earlier, making a turnaround after falling for 16 straight months, government data showed Thursday.
Outbound shipments of ICT products came to US$17.9 billion last month, compared with $16.6 billion a year earlier, according to the data compiled by the Ministry of Science and ICT.
The monthly figure posted an increase for the first time since June last year as exports of semiconductors, the country's key item, made a rebound after falling for 15 consecutive months, the ministry said.
The country's ICT imports in October retreated 10.9 percent on-year to $11.4 billion, resulting in a trade surplus of $6.4 billion in the sector.
Chip exports stood at $9.6 billion, up 10.7 percent on-year, as sales of memory chips sharply jumped by 36.4 percent.
The recovery is attributable to a rise in the average quarterly price of 8-gigabit DRAM for the second consecutive month in November following a continued decrease since the third quarter of 2021, according to the ministry.
Overseas sales of displays added 3.7 percent to $2.1 billion, continuing their winning streak for the fourth consecutive month, thanks to increased demand for mobile OLED screens and liquid crystal displays.
Exports of mobile phones also increased 12.2 percent to $1.6 billion amid a gradual recovery of the global smartphone market.
Exports of computers and communications equipment, however, dropped 22.7 percent and 21.6 percent to $750 million and $210 million, respectively.
By nation, combined shipments to China and Hong Kong climbed 15.5 percent on-year to $8.1 billion, logging a gain for the first time in 18 months.
Exports to the United States and the European Union rose 12.5 percent and 5.4 percent to $2.1 billion and $1.02 million, respectively, on higher demand for secondary batteries.
Exports to Vietnam and Japan also went up 4.1 percent and 2.1 percent to $3.1 billion and $320 million, respectively.