South Korean exports of information and communication technology posted growth for the 24th month in a row in October on the back of brisk overseas sales of semiconductors, government data showed Wednesday.

A total of $20.21 billion worth of ICT products were shipped overseas last month, up 12.3 percent from a year earlier, according to the data by the Ministry of Science and ICT.

The total exceeded the $20 billion mark for the third month in a row and marked the second-highest monthly tally to date.

Exports of semiconductors made by Asia’s fourth-largest economy soared 21.5 percent on-year to an unprecedented $11.71 billion fueled by steady demand. It marks the first time the monthly chip exports surpassed $10 billion.

Overseas shipments of computers and related equipment were up 5.2 percent on-year last month on the back of solid state drive sales, the latest findings showed.

The ministry said exports of displays, meanwhile, decreased 10.5 percent on-year in the one-month period due to increased global competition for LCD panels as Chinese manufacturers produced more large-sized ones and decreased OLED panel exports.

The combined overseas sales of mobile handsets and related parts also were down 14.1 percent last month due to heated competition in the global market.

By region, shipments to China, including Hong Kong, increased 3.3 percent on-year to $10.48 billion, the latest findings showed. (Yonhap)