Export, which takes up about half of the export-driven economy, amounted to 13.3 billion U.S. dollars in the July 1-10 period, down 1.7 percent from a year earlier, according to Korea Customs Service.
The daily average export slipped 1.7 percent in the cited period.
The export fall came amid the continued economic fallout from the coronavirus pandemic, but the downturn slowed down this month after sliding in double digits for four straight months through June. The shipment declined 10.9 percent in June from a year earlier.
Export for oil products and auto parts tumbled 42.2 percent and 34.0 percent each in the 10-day period, but those for semiconductors and automobiles advanced more than 7.0 percent.
Shipments to the Middle East and Japan dipped in double figures in the cited period, but those to China and the United States, South Korea's top two trading partners, grew 9.4 percent and 7.3 percent respectively.
Import slumped 9.1 percent over the year to 14.1 billion dollars in the July 1-10 period, sending the trade balance to a deficit of 0.8 billion dollars.
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