Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy

Automobile exports edge down 3.4 percent in August

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy announced on September 18 that Korean automobile exports inched down 3.4 percent to 164,154 vehicles from a year earlier. The drop in exports is largely attributable to fewer working days. In value terms, however, exports advanced 4.6 percent year-on-year to USD 3.0 billion.Automobile output totaled 249,390 units, down 15.9 percent. The local automakers are Hyundai Motor, Kia Motors, GM Korea, Ssangyong Motor, Renault Samsung Motors, Zyle Daewoo Bus, an date2019-09-18

WTO Appellate Body releases its report on Korea’s anti-dumping duties on pneumatic valves from Japan

The World Trade Organization released an Appellate Body report on September 10 regarding the Republic of Korea’s anti-dumping duties on valves for pneumatic transmissions from Japan. In the WTO Appellate Body proceedings, Korea won in ten out of a total of 13 claims. To find out more: https://www.wto.org/english/news_e/news19_e/504abr_e.htm date2019-09-11

Exports in August fall 13.6% to $44.2 billion

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy announced on September 1 that Korea’s August exports fell 13.6 percent from a year earlier to USD 44.2 billion. Imports decreased 4.2 percent to $42.5 billion and the trade balance showed a surplus of $1.7 billion, staying positive for 91 consecutive months.The decline in exports was affected by several factors such as a base effect, fewer working days, and deteriorating external conditions, including the U.S.-China trade dispute and Japan’s date2019-09-02

Korea’s online retail sales improve 8.7% in July

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy announced on August 29 that Korea’s online retail sales in July saw a year-on-year improvement of 8.7 percent. Overall retail sales, however, inched down 0.1 percent as sales at brick-and-mortar stores decreased 5.6 percent.These results are based on surveys of 26 major retailers. Half of them are brick-and-mortar retailers: three department store chains, three hypermarket chains, three convenience store chains, and four super supermarket (SSM) op date2019-08-30

Exports of Korean ICT goods drop 21.8% to $14.5 billion in July

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy announced on August 21 that July exports of Korean information and communications technology (ICT) goods fell 21.8 percent year-on-year to USD 14.5 billion.Inbound shipments, on the other hand, moved up 6.9 percent to $9.7 billion, and trade balance in this sector stood at a surplus of $4.8 billion.By item, semiconductor exports dropped 27.7 percent to $7.6 billion, following lower demand for chips used in servers and mobile phones. Lower prices compare date2019-08-21

Korea’s auto exports post double-digit growth in July

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy announced on August 15 that July exports of Korean automobiles grew 11.6 percent to 215,927 vehicles compared to the same period last year. In value terms, outbound shipments increased 21.6 percent to USD 3.8 billion. This expansion in exports was largely attributable to improved sales of sport utility vehicles (SUVs) and eco-friendly cars in North America and the EU.For environment-friendly vehicles, exports jumped 102.3 percent to 25,063 units. These date2019-08-16

Korea’s July exports decrease 11% to $46.1 billion

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy announced on August 1 that Korea’s exports in July decreased 11.0 percent year-on-year to USD 46.1 billion. Imports also declined 2.7 percent to $43.7 billion, and the trade balance stood at a surplus of $2.4 billion, remaining positive for 90 straight months.The decrease in exports was due to a mix of different factors: i) worsening external conditions such as the ongoing U.S.-China trade dispute and Japan’s export restrictions, ii) a slowd date2019-08-01

Overall retail sales in Korea increase 5% in June

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy announced on July 30 that Korea’s overall retail sales in June grew 5.0 percent compared to the same period last year.Sales of offline retailers inched up 0.7 percent, and those of online retailers advanced 11.7 percent.The Ministry releases monthly retail sales figures based on surveys of 26 major retailers. Half of them are brick-and-mortar retailers: three department store chains, three hypermarket chains, three convenience store chains, and fo date2019-07-30