South Korea's exports jumped 22-point-two percent in January from a year earlier propelled by robust demand for memory chips.

According to the data compiled by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy on Thursday, the country's outbound shipments came to 49-point-21 billion dollars for January.

That's the largest monthly figure for January, and represents a sharp growth compared to an eight-point-nine percent increase in December.

Exports increased for 15 months in a row, posting double-digit growth for the first time in four months. 

Imports also soared 20-point-nine percent on-year to 45-point-five billion dollars last month. 
 
South Korea's trade surplus came to three-point-seven billion dollars, marking the 72nd consecutive month that exports have exceeded imports.