Reuters South Korea39;s exports for the first 20 days of January fell 2.7 from a year earlier, but the pace of drop was slower than that recorded in December, customs data showed on Saturday.

In December, South Korean exports fell 9.0 onyear during the first 20 days and declined 9.6 for the full month, as global demand cooled after a wave of aggressive policy tightening to contain inflation.

For the first 20 days of January, exports to China fell 24.4, whereas shipments to the United States rose 18.1, the Korea Customs Service data showed.

Imports over Jan. 120 rose by 9.3 onyear, bringing South Korea39;s trade deficit to 10.26 billion over the period.

For December, the trade deficit was 4.69 billion.

South Korea39;s government expects overseas sales in 2023 to fall 4.5, after a 6.1 gain in 2022, but the trade ministry has vowed to do all it can to achieve growth in exports.

Reporting by Choonsik Yoo; Editing by Himani Sarkar

Source Reuters