South Korea's exports surpassed 50 billion dollars for the fourth consecutive month, but declined slightly in June from a year earlier.

According to tentative data by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy on Sunday, the country’s outbound shipments reached 51-point-23 billion U.S. dollars last month, slipping point-09 percent from a year ago.

The ministry said it is the first time exports topped 50 billion dollars for four straight months.

Exports shrank one-point-five percent in April and rebounded to a growth of 13-point-five percent.

The ministry attributed last month’s drop to a high base effect and shorter working days.

Imports in June surged ten-point-seven percent on-year to 44-point-91 billion dollars.

The trade surplus came to six-point-32 billion dollars, marking 77 straight months in which the country's exports have exceeded imports.