South Korea’s exports fell for the 15th consecutive month in March but at a slower pace. 

According to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy on Friday, exports in March amounted to 43 billion dollars, down by eight-point-two percent from the same month last year.

The data extends the consecutive drop in exports to 15 months, a month after the country broke the previous record of 13 consecutive months set between March 2001 and March 2002.

However, the March figure marked the first time in four months that the rate of decline fell below 10 percent.

Exports fell by 18-point-nine percent in January, the largest margin of decrease in nearly six-and-a-half years, but the rate of decline slowed to 12-point-two percent in February and then eight-point-two percent in March.

Meanwhile, the country's imports fell by 13-point-eight percent in March from a year earlier to 33-point-two billion dollars.

The trade surplus for the month stood at nine-point-eight billion dollars, extending the country's surplus rally to 50 months.