Exports fell more than 17 percent year-on-year in the first ten days of November because there were fewer working days.

According to preliminary data from the Korea Customs Service on Monday, the country’s outbound shipments reached 14-point-nine billion U.S. dollars during the cited period, down 17-point-eight percent from a year earlier.

Average daily exports decreased by one-tenth of a percent, with the number of working days decreasing by one-and-a-half days to seven.  

Exports of semiconductors and ships increased 17-point-four percent and 373 percent, respectively, while shipments of automobiles plunged 33-point-six percent.

Exports to China decreased 14-point-six percent, while exports to the United States fell 37 percent.

However, shipments to Taiwan increased nearly 30 percent.

Imports dropped 21 percent year-on-year to 15-point-eight billion dollars during the 10-day period, resulting in a trade deficit of 856 million dollars.