Exports surpassed 55 billion U.S. dollars in October to hit the second-largest monthly figure. 

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy said on Monday that outbound shipments jumped 24 percent last month from a year earlier to hit 55-point-55 billion U.S. dollars. 

It marks the largest monthly figure for any October and the second largest monthly amount recorded since the nation started compiling trade data in 1956. The largest amount is 55-point-83 billion dollars tallied in September.

With the latest figure, South Korea reported growth in exports for the 12th consecutive month since November last year. 

Imports increased 37-point-eight percent on-year to 53-point-86 billion dollars last month, with the nation logging a trade surplus for the 18th consecutive month.