South Korea's trade surplus hit a record high in 2009(2010/1/4)

On January 1st, The Ministry of Knowledge Economy in South Korea released data which showed South Korea as the world economic downturn led to a substantial reduction of imports, South Korea in 2009 to 41 billion U.S. dollars trade surplus reached a record high.

Data show that in 2009 South Korea's exports 363.8 billion U.S. dollars, imports amounted to 322.8 billion U.S. dollars, respectively, compared with 2008 decreased 13.8% and 25.8%. Exports 9th largest in the world, the world market share of 3% the first time.

South Korea since February 2009 has been maintained since the current account surplus. From the beginning in November 2008, exports has shown positive growth year on year. In December 2009, exports and imports were up 33.7% year on year and 24.0%. South Korean Ministry of Knowledge Economy said that this showed that South Korea's import and export trade has been by the "economic downturn, type" surplus structure into the apparent recovery.

South Korean Ministry of Knowledge Economy predicts that South Korea's exports in 2010 is expected to reach 410 billion U.S. dollars, and import volume is expected to reach 390 billion U.S. dollars, the year the trade surplus is expected to remain at around 20 billion U.S. dollars.
(by China Leiyuan, 2010/1/4)