Semiconductor sales, which account for the largest share of South Korean exports, declined 17 percent, improving from more-than-20 percent declines in previous months. A South Korean Ministry of Finance official last week said that the government is cautiously optimistic that an improving global economy will help fuel a recovery next year. South Korean imports fell 0.5 percent in the first 20 days of this month from a year earlier. Exports to the US edged down 3.4 percent, while imports rose 7.9 percent. South Korea’s exports from Dec. 1 to 20 expanded 8.1 percent from the same period a month earlier, while imports gained 9.1 percent.
