Semiconductors, usually South Korea’s main export item, accounted for less than 20 percent of all exports in 2019, data compiled by the Korea International Trade Association, the Trade Ministry and the Korea Customs Service showed.

On the other hand, automobiles, on the back of buoyed sales of sport utility vehicles and eco-friendly cars, were the country’s No. 2 export item. While the actual number of cars delivered overseas dropped by 1.9 percent from 2018, their export value increased as SUVs and eco-friendly vehicles are worth more.

(khnews@heraldcorp.com)