Imports also rose 17.1 percent on-year to $147.9 billion over the cited period, with a trade surplus hitting $54.6 billion.

Meanwhile, Asia’s fourth-largest economy saw its exports expand 15.8 percent on-year to $279.4 billion and imports vault 21 percent to $233.6 billion in the first half on the back of a global trade recovery and a rise in oil prices. The trade surplus stood at $45.8 billion over the six-month period.

South Korea’s FTA partner countries, including the United States, China and the European Union, accounted for nearly 70 percent of its total trade. (Yonhap)