Ministry of Trade Industry and Resources

Korea’s 2014 ICT Product Exports Begin with Stable Figures

date2014-02-11

Export and Import Trends in January 2014

○ 2011 - Lunar New Year Holidays : Feb 2 (Wed) to 4 (Fri) - January Export Growth (%) : 44.7 ○ 2012 - Lunar New Year Holidays : Jan 22 (Sun) to 24 (Tue) - January Export Growth (%) : -7.3 ○ 2013 - Lunar New Year Holidays : Feb 9 (Sat) to 11 (Mon) - January Export Growth (%) : 10.9 ○ 2014 - Lunar New Year Holidays : Jan 30 (Thurs) to Feb 1 (Sat) - January Export Growth (%) : -0.2       In terms of detailed export trends, exports to EU countries increased significantly consistent with their economic recovery, while exports to Asian countries and China also increased thanks to the solid sales of IT products. However, exports to Japan continued to decrease commensurate to the weak Yen and exports to Latin American countries. - Export growth by Nation (%): EU 24.7, ASEAN 9.9, China 0.8, USA -2.0, Latin America - 13.6, Japan -19.8 - Growth of exports to Japan (%): 2013 2Q -13.6 → 3Q -10.2 → 4Q -8.9 → January 2014 - 19.8 By item, exports of IT products increased thanks to strong sales of semiconductor products (continuing strong memory chip prices) and wireless communication devices (expanded market dominance), while exports in the automotive industry (decrease in operating days), LCD industry (decrease in panel prices), petroleum products (decrease in unit prices of export products) and shipbuilding industry (delays in delivery) decreased. In terms of detailed import trends, imports of gas increased due to an increase in demand for fuels used for power generation and heating, and imports of steel and petroleum products also increased, while the total amount of imports decreased due to reduced imports of crude oil as a result of a drop in the import volume. - Import growth in 5 major items (5): Steel 20.7, petroleum products 20.7, gas 17.8, coal 7.0, crude oil -4.4 - Import Growth by Use (January 1 to 20, % compared to the same period in the previous year): Raw materials 6.2, Capital goods 2.8, Consumer goods 0.5 - Crude Oil Import Price and Volume date2014-02-04

2013 Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) Trends

The Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) trend in Korea shows a positive growth compared to the trends of the last five years. The FDIs fell slightly in 2013 from a year earlier due to a decrease in investments from Japan following the weaker Yen and other factors. The amount of FDI on a report basis was 14.55 billion USD, down by 10.7% from 16.29 billion USD compared to the same period in the previous year, but up 9.9% compared to the 5-year average, which is 13.24 billion USD. The amount of FDI on an arrival basis was 9.68 billion USD, down by 9.4% from 10.69 billion USD compared to the same period last year, but up 27.9% compared to the 5-year average of 7.57 billion USD. FDI trends by sector on a report basis are as follows: - (By nation) Investments from the USA (3.53 billion USD, down 4.1%) and Japan (2.69 billion USD, down 40.8%) decreased, while investments from European countries (4.8 billion USD, up 76.9%) increased. - (By industry) Investments in the service sector (9.85 billion USD, up 2.6%) increased, while those in manufacturing sector (4.65 billion USD, down 23.8%) decreased. - (By type) Mergers and acquisitions (4.98 billion USD, up 32.8%) increased, while greenfield investments (9.57 billion USD, down 23.7%) decreased. Deputy Director Wi Seung-bok, Foreign Investment Promotion Division(☎ 044-203-4082) date2014-01-29

2013 (December & Full-Year) Trends and 2014 Outlook for Exports and Imports

Export & Import Trends in December 2013 Total exports were USD 48.1 billion in December, showing year-on-year growth of 7.1%, while imports were USD 44.4 billion with year-on-year growth of 3.0%. The trade surplus was USD 3.7 billion. Exports grew significantly year-on-year in December, fueled by the global economic recovery and the higher number of working days (1.5 days). Imports as well as exports are growing, and a trade surplus has been recorded for 23 consecutive months. * Export growth rate by region (%): US 13.2%, China 8.4%, EU 2.0%, Japan -11.6% and ASEAN -11.9% * Export growth rate by item (%): Ships 50.3%, semiconductors 20.0%, cars 13.2%, petrochemical 7.5%, general machinery 3.1%, steel -0.1%, mobile devices -3.1%, LCD -16.9% and petroleum products -21.0% Of five major import items, petroleum products and steel imports grew, while crude oil and gas imports decreased. Looking at imports by use category, imports of raw materials, capital goods and consumption goods all grew. * Import growth rate of five items (%): Petroleum products 21.7%, steel 16.5%, coal 3.4%, gas -7.7% and crude oil -10.1% * Import growth rate by use (As of December 1 to 20, 2012, compared to the same period of the previous year, %): Raw materials 11.7%, capital goods 8.4% and consumption goods 8.6%. Korea recorded a trade surplus of USD 44.2 billion in 2013, thanks to exports of USD 559.7 billion that showed year-on-year growth of 2.2% and imports of USD 515.5 billion that showed a year-on-year decrease of 0.8%. <2013 Export & Import Results (Estimated based on customs data)> (Unit: USD 0.1 billion, %) 2012 ○ 1H - Export (Rate of Increase/ Decrease) : 2,750(0.5) - Import (Rate of Increase/ Decrease) : 2,641(2.3) - Trade Balance : 109 ○ 2H - Export (Rate of Increase/ Decrease) : 2,729 (-3.1) - Import (Rate of Increase/ Decrease) : 2,555 (-4.0) - Trade Balance : 174 ○ Annual - Export (Rate of Increase/ Decrease) : 5,479 (-1.3) - Import (Rate of Increase/ Decrease) : 5,196 (-0.9) - Trade Balance : 283     2013 ○ 1H - Export (Rate of Increase/ Decrease) : 2,765(0.6) - Import (Rate of Increase/ Decrease) : 2,565 (-2.9) - Trade Balance : 200 ○ 2H - Export (Rate of Increase/ Decrease) : 2,832(3.8) - Import (Rate of Increase/ Decrease) : 2,591(1.4) - Trade Balance : 241 ○ Annual - Export (Rate of Increase/ Decrease) : 5,597(2.2) - Import (Rate of Increase/ Decrease) : 5,155 (-0.8) - Trade Balance : 442           Exports to China have been robust, while exports to the US and the EU have been improved thanks to the economic recovery. However, Exports to ASEAN countries including Indonesia are decreasing. <Five Export Items and Their Percentages in 2013> (Unit: USD 1 million, %) ○ 2012 Amount and Percentage of Exports - Petroleum date2014-01-14

IT Trade Figures for August

2013 ○ August Exports - All industries : $46.37 billion (7.7%) - IT industry : $14.5 billion (11.4%) Imports - All industries : $41.45 billion (0.8%) - IT industry : $6.36 billion (2.6%) Trade balance - All industries : $4.92 billion - IT industry : $8.13 billion   ○ First Eight Months Exports - All industries : $368.77 billion (1.7%) - IT industry : $109.78 billion (10.8%) Imports - All industries : $341.37 billion (-1.7%) - IT industry : $52.33 billion (3.5%) Trade balance - All industries : $27.4 billion - IT industry : $57.46 billion     2012 ○ August Exports - All industries : $43.05 billion (-6.0%) - IT industry : $13.02 billion (0.0%) Imports - All industries : $41.12 billion (-9.4%) - IT industry : $6.2 billion (-12.7%) Trade balance - All industries : $1.93 billion - IT industry : $6.82 billion   ○ First Eight Months Exports - All industries : $362.69 billion (-1.5%) - IT industry : $99.04 billion (-4.2%) Imports - All industries : $347.19 billion (-0.2%) - IT industry : $50.55 billion (-7.1%) Trade balance - All industries : $15.49 billion - IT industry : $48.49 billion       Exports gained 11.4 percent year on year to $14.5 billion, sustaining an upward trend for the twelfth consecutive month. Most notably, exports of mobile phones, semiconductors and televisions grew more than 20 percent from the previous year. Brisk sales of smartphones and components boosted outbound shipments of mobile phones. Exports of semiconductors continued to see growth for the eleventh month in a row reaching a record value of $4.99 billion. Outbound shipments of televisions jumped 40.7 percent to $880 million on the back of robust sales of premium products such as smart TVs. Demand for ultra-high definition (UHD) TVs introduced in June also contributed to this gain. However, exports of display panels along with computers and related devices continued to show negative growth. ○ Value of Exports - Mobile Phones : $1.95 billion - Household Devices : $400 million - Semiconductors : $4.99 billion - Display Panels : $2.47 billion - Computers and Related Devices : $580 million - Televisions : $880 million ○ Year-on-Year Growth - Mobile Phones : 28.5% - Household Devices : 6.4% - Semiconductors : 22.0% - Display Panels : -12.7% - Computers and Related Devices : -17.7% - Televisions : 40.7%       ○ Value of Exports - China : $7.44 billion - Japan : $550 million - United States : $1.36 billion - European Union : $1.13 billion - ASEAN : $1.84 billion - Oceania : $70 million - Latin America : $900 million - Middle East : $300 million   ○ Year-on-Year Growth - China : 9.6% - Japan : -15.0% - United States : 32.0% - European Union : -3.1% - ASEAN : 28.4% - Oceania : -12.1% - Latin America : 21.8% - Middle East : -7.2%         Meanwhile, IT imports rose 2.6 percent from a year earlier to $6.36 billion. While demand for semiconductors, computers and related devices, printed circuit boards and mobile phones strengthened, imports of flat display panels decreased. Although imports from Japan, th date2013-09-12

Trade Figures for August

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy has released its trade figures for August. The nation posted a $4.92 billion trade surplus, marking the 19th straight month in the black as export growth continued to show signs of recovery. 2012 ○ August - Exports : $43.05 billion (-6.0%) - Imports : $41.12 billion (-9.4%) - Trade Balance : $1.93 billion &nbsp; 2013 ○ July - Exports : $45.84 billion (2.6%) - Imports : $43.3 billion (3.2%) - Trade Balance : $2.54 billion ○ August - Exports : $46.37 billion (7.7%) - Imports :$41.45 billion (0.8%) - Trade Balance : $4.92 billion &nbsp; ○ First eight months - Exports : $368.77 billion (1.7%) - Imports : $341.37 billion (-1.7%) - Trade Balance : $27.4 billion &nbsp; &nbsp; - Year-on-year growth rates shown in parentheses. - Figures for August are based on tentative customs clearance data. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; ○ Value - Ships : $3.54 billion - Wireless Communications Devices : $2.19 billion - General Machinery : $3.38 billion - Petrochemicals : $4.21 billion - Steel : $2.71 billion - Semiconductors : $5.0 billion - Automobiles : $3.63 billion - Petroleum Products : $4.57 billion - LCD Devices : $2.17 billion - Textiles : $1.21 billion - Household Appliances : $1.45 billion - Automobile Parts : $2.1 billion - Computers : $680 million &nbsp; ○ Growth Rate - Ships : 26.2% - Wireless Communications Devices : 25.9% - General Machinery : -5.9% - Petrochemicals : 12.1% - Steel : -5.9% - Semiconductors : 22.1% - Automobiles : 43.9% - Petroleum Products : -6.9% - LCD Devices : -12.9% - Textiles : -4.2% - Household Appliances : 26.0% - Automobile Parts : 8.3% - Computers : -8.7% &nbsp; &nbsp; - The above figures are based on customs clearance data for the first 20 days of August and as such are only tentative. &nbsp; &nbsp; Exports to Key Trading Partners for August ○ Growth Rate - China : 14.5% - United States : 12.6% - Japan : -13.2% - European Union : 0.9% - ASEAN : 17.8% - Middle East : -8.7% - Latin America : 33.5% - Oceania : 122.2% &nbsp; ○ Percentage of All Exports - China : 28.5% - United States : 9.7% - Japan : 6.0% - European Union : 8.0% - ASEAN : 14.7% - Middle East : 4.0% - Latin America : 6.6% - Oceania : 5.7% &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; <p class=" date2013-09-03

IT Trade Figures for July

2013 ○ July Exports - All industries : $45.84 billion (2.6%) - IT industry : $14.07 billion (10.1%) Imports - All industries : $43.13 billion (2.7%) - IT industry : $6.75 billion (6.1%) Trade balance - All industries : $2.71 billion - IT industry : $7.32 billion &nbsp; ○ First Seven Months Exports - All industries : $322.49 billion (0.9%) - IT industry :$95.3 billion (10.8%) Imports - All industries : $299.75 billion (-2.1%) - IT industry : $45.95 billion (3.6%) Trade balance - All industries : $22.74 billion - IT industry : $49.35 billion &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 2012 ○ July Exports - All industries : $44.67 billion (-8.7%) - IT industry : $12.78 billion (-1.7%) Imports - All industries : $41.98 billion (-5.2%) - IT industry : $6.36 billion (-4.9%) Trade balance - All industries : $2.69 billion - IT industry : $6.42 billion &nbsp; ○ First Seven Months Exports - All industries : $319.64 billion (-0.9%) - IT industry : $86.03 billion (-4.8%) Imports - All industries : $306.08 billion (1.2%) - IT industry : $44.35 billion (-6.2%) Trade balance - All industries : $13.57 billion - IT industry : $41.67 billion &nbsp; - Figures for the year 2013 are tentative. - Year-on-year growth rates shown in parentheses. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; ○ Value of Exports - Mobile Phones : $1.88 billion - Household Devices : $390 million - Semiconductors : $4.8 billion - Display Panels : $2.36 billion - Computers and Related Devices : $640 million - Televisions : $690 million ○ Year-on-Year Growth - Mobile Phones : 31.2% - Household Devices : -3.8% - Semiconductors : 21.7% - Display Panels : -15.1% - Computers and Related Devices : -11.5% - Televisions : 19.8% &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Exports to the United States, the ASEAN region and China showed positive growth, while outbound shipments to Japan and the European Union were on a downward trend. Although strong demand for mobile phones boosted exports to the United States, Japan saw a decline due to a weak Japanese yen and sluggish sales of major IT products. ○ Value of Exports - China : $7.24 billion - Japan : $640 million - United States : $1.45 billion - European Union : $980 million - Oceania : $60 million - Latin America : $820 million - Middle East : $270 million &nbsp; ○ Year-on-Year Growth - China : 10.4% - Japan : -23.6% - United States : 37.3% - European Union : -2.5% - Oceania : -16.2% - Latin America : 6.0% - Middle East : -19.7% &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Meanwhile, IT imports gained 6.1 percent from a year earlier to $6.75 billion. While inbound shipments of semiconductors, printed circuit boards and mobile phones rose, imports of flat display panels and computers and related devices declined. With the exception of Japan, impo date2013-08-09

Trade Figures for July

2012 ○ July - Exports : $44.67 billion (-8.7%) - Imports : $41.98 billion (-5.2%) - Trade Balance : $2.69 billion &nbsp; 2013 ○ June - Exports : $46.71 billion (-1.0%) - Imports : $40.72 billion (-3.0%) - Trade Balance : $5.99 billion ○ July - Exports : $45.84 billion (2.6%) - Imports : $43.13 billion (2.7%) - Trade Balance : $2.71 billion ○ First seven months - Exports : $322.49 billion (0.9%) - Imports : $299.75 billion (-2.1%) - Trade Balance : $22.74 billion &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; ○ Value - Ships : $2.55 billion - Wireless Communications Devices : $2.09 billion - General Machinery : $3.82 billion - Petrochemicals : $4.11 billion - Steel : $2.56 billion - Semiconductors : $4.8 billion - Automobiles : $3.59 billion - Petroleum Products : $4.03 billion - LCD Devices : $2.07 billion - Textiles : $1.36 billion - Household Appliances : $1.2 billion - Automobile Parts : $2.14 billion - Computers : $710 million &nbsp; ○ Growth Rate - Ships : 19.3% - Wireless Communications Devices : 27.3% - General Machinery : -11.7% - Petrochemicals : 7.8% - Steel : -19.4% - Semiconductors : 21.8% - Automobiles : -3.3% - Petroleum Products : -7.6% - LCD Devices : -13.5% - Textiles : -5.4% - Household Appliances : 5.1% - Automobile Parts : -0.5% - Computers : -9.7% &nbsp; - The above figures are based on customs clearance data for the first 20 days of July and as such are only tentative. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; ○ Growth Rate - China : 11.1% - United States : 4.8% - Japan : -21.7% - European Union : -2.3% - ASEAN : -4.9% - Middle East : -25.4% - Latin America : 2.7% - Oceania : 58.0% &nbsp; ○ Percentage of All Exports - China : 28.2% - United States : 11.3% - Japan : 6.2% - European Union : 8.3% - ASEAN : 14.3% - Middle East : 4.9% - Latin America : 6.2% - Oceania : 4.2% &nbsp; - The above figures are based on customs clearance data for the first 20 days of July and as such are only tentative. &nbsp; &nbsp; ○ Growth Rate - Japan : -8.1% - United States : -16.6% - China : 3.7% - ASEAN : -10.3% - European Union : -12.2% - Middle East : -3.6% - Latin America : 12.9% - Oceania : -25.4% &nbsp; ○ Percentage of All Exports - Japan : 12.1% - United States : 7.9% - China : 17.3% - ASEAN : 9.7% - European Union : 10.8% - Middle East : 23.4% - Latin America : 4.4% date2013-08-05

Minister Speaks with Japanese Investors in Korea

date2013-07-22

Parts and Materials Industry Trade Figures for First Half of 2013

○ All Industries - Exports : $276.7 billion (0.6%) - Imports : $257.1 billion (-2.6%) - Trade Balance : $19.6 billion ○ Parts and Materials - Exports : $130.0 billion (5.2%) - Imports : $81.7 billion (1.5%) - Trade Balance : $48.3 billion ○ Materials - Exports : $43.1 billion (-3.1%) - Imports : $32.3 billion (-4.5%) - Trade Balance : $10.8 billion ○ Parts - Exports : $86.9 billion (9.8%) - Imports : $49.4 billion (5.8%) - Trade Balance : $37.5 billion - Year-on-year growth rates shown in parentheses - The above figures are based on customs clearance data, and as such are only tentative. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; ○ Exports Materials - Textiles : $2.5 billion (-0.8%) - Compounds and Chemicals : $22.3 billion (3.4%) - Rubber and Plastic Materials : $4.9 billion (0.2%) - Nonmetallic Minerals : $800 million (45.4%) - Basic Metals : $12.7 billion (-15.4%) &nbsp; Parts - Fabricated Metals : $2.3 billion (-4.4%) - General Machine Parts : $11.6 billion (2.3%) - Computer and Office Machine Parts : $2.1 billion (18.6%) - Electrical Machine Parts : $12.2 billion (17.9%) - Electronic Components : $41.1 billion (12.8%) - Precision Machine Parts : $3.1 billion (5.5%) - Transportation Machine Parts : $14.5 billion (4.2%) &nbsp; &nbsp; ○ Imports Materials - Textiles : $1.5 billion (1.9%) - Compounds and Chemicals : $13.8 billion (1.9%) - Rubber and Plastic Materials : $2.4 billion (-7.0%) - Nonmetallic Minerals : $2.1 billion (-2.4%) - Basic Metals : $12.6 billion (-11.2%) &nbsp; Parts - Fabricated Metals : $1.0 billion (3.4%) - General Machine Parts : $10.1 billion (8.1%) - Computer and Office Machine Parts : $1.9 billion (0.6%) - Electrical Machine Parts : $8.2 billion (10.9%) - Electronic Components : $21.3 billion (5.8%) - Precision Machine Parts : $3.1 billion (-3.0%) - Transportation Machine Parts : $4.0 billion (0.7%) &nbsp; &nbsp; ○ Trade Balance Materials - Textiles : $1.0 billion - Compounds and Chemicals : $8.5 billion - Rubber and Plastic Materials : $2.5 billion - Nonmetallic Minerals : -$1.3 billion - Basic Metals : $100 million &nbsp; Parts - Fabricated Metals : $1.3 billion - General Machine Parts : $1.5 billion - Computer and Office Machine Parts : $300 million - Electrical Machine Parts : $4.0 billion - Electronic Components : $19.8 billion - Precision Machine Parts : $15 million - Transportation Machine Parts : $10.5 billion &nbsp; - Year-on-year growth rates shown in parentheses &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Trade Performance with Major Trading Partners ○ Exports - China : $44.1 billion - Japan : $6.8 billion - Middle East : $6.9 billion - Europe :$14.8 billion - United States : $11.8 billion - Latin America : $7.6 billion - ASEAN : $18.5 billion ○ Imports - China : $21.8 billion - Japan : $17.2 billion - Middle East : $1.1 billion - Europe : $13.8 billion - United States : $9.3 billion - Latin America : $1.3 billion - ASEAN : $ date2013-07-19