South Korea's exports rose 14.9 percent on-year during the first 20 days of August, due to a rise in outbound shipments of chips and petrochemical goods, customs data showed Tuesday.

The country's outbound shipments reached US$28.8 billion in the August 1-20 period, according to the Korea Customs Service (KCS).

The customs office said the daily average exports, which reflect working days, also grew 14.9 percent on-year to $1.98 billion.

By product, shipments of semiconductors surged 39 percent, with numbers for petrochemical goods jumping 53 percent. Auto exports jumped 23 percent as well.

However, exports of ships and wireless telecommunication devices plunged 61.8 percent and 13.4 percent, respectively, the latest findings showed.

In the first 20 days of the month, the country's imports moved up 6 percent on-year to reach $27.4 billion, resulting in a trade surplus of $1.37 billion, the KCS said.

The country's exports are expected to continue their upward momentum this month.

South Korea's exports rebounded in July from the previous month's slight fall.

Outbound shipments rose 6.2 percent on-year to reach $51.88 billion last month, marking the second-largest monthly figure, according to the data compiled by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy.

The reading also marks the first time that the country's monthly exports topped the $50 billion mark for five straight months, the ministry said.

In June, the country's exports inched down due to fewer working days and a high base effect. (yonhap)

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