Seoul: The Republic of Korea's exports expanded 13.5 percent from a year earlier in the first 20 days of September, data showed on Monday. Outbound shipments reached US$40.12 billion in the 1-20 September period, compared with US$35.36 billion during the same period last year.

According to Emirates News Agency, imports increased 9.9 percent on-year to $38.22 billion during the period, resulting in a trade surplus of $1.9 billion, Yonhap News Agency reported. In August, exports, a key economic growth engine for the country, rose 1.3 percent on-year to $58.4 billion due to demand for semiconductors.