Export, which accounts for about half of the export-driven economy, stood at 15.79 billion U.S. dollars in the March 1-10 period, down 16.2 percent compared to the same period of last year, according to Korea Customs Service.
The outbound shipment kept sliding for the fifth consecutive month through February.
Semiconductor export plunged 41.2 percent during the 10-day period, while those for oil products, mobile devices and precision machinery retreated in double figures.
Import added 2.7 percent from a year earlier to 20.79 billion dollars in the first 10 days of March.
Import for the country's three key energy sources, including crude oil, natural gas and coal, amounted to 5.04 billion dollars in the reported period, up 1.6 percent from a year earlier.
Trade deficit reached 5.0 billion dollars in the 10-day period, lifting the country's total trade deficit in 2023 to 22.78 billion dollars.
In 2022, South Korea recorded its biggest-ever trade deficit of 47.8 billion dollars.
The country's trade balance stayed in red for the 12th successive month through February this year.
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