South Korea's exports of information and communications technology products dropped 6 percent in 2016 from a year earlier due to weak global demand, government data showed Wednesday.

Outbound shipments of ICT products hit $162.5 billion last year, compared to $172.89 billion tallied the year before, according to data compiled by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy.

ICT exports plunged 10.4 percent on-year during the first six months of 2016 and inched down 1.7 percent on-year during the later six months.

However, the outbound shipments of ICT products jumped 13.3 percent on-year in December, contributing to a 2.5 percent on-year increase in the fourth quarter, the data showed.

The decrease in ICT exports from Asia's fourth-largest economy was attributed to losses in shipments of display panels and handsets.

Outbound shipments of semiconductors made by South Korea inched down 1.1 percent on-year last year due to falling prices, according to the data.

The ministry said exports of displays also plunged 15.6 percent on-year last year. However, the shipments were on the recovery track during the July-December period on the back of the rising demand for organic light-emitting diode TVs.

Overseas shipments of computer and computer equipment jumped 7.9 percent in 2016 from a year earlier due to gains of South Korean-made solid state drives in the global market, the ministry said.

Combined overseas sales of handsets and parts, however, tumbled 16.2 percent on-year in 2016, on the back of increased competition in the global market, the ministry said.

By region, shipments to the United States and Vietnam advanced 6.3 percent and 34 percent, respectively, while those to the China fell 9.1 percent on-year. (Yonhap)