SEOUL, Dec 1 (Reuters) - South Korea's export growth slowed for a fourth-straight month in November, to the weakest level in 14 months, as shipments to the United States and China fell amid tariff uncertainty, trade data showed on Sunday.
Exports out of Asia's fourth-largest economy rose 1.4% in November from a year earlier, after a gain of 4.6% in October, to $56.35 billion.
It was the 14th-straight month exports rose in annual terms but the slowest rate for the sequence, also missing a median forecast of a 2.8% increase tipped in a Reuters poll of economists.
Last month, U.S. President-elect Donald Trump pledged to impose a 25% tariff on imports from Canada and Mexico, which is expected to affect South Korean firms as well, and "an additional 10% tariff, above any additional tariffs" on China, South Korea's biggest trading partner.
Shipments to the United States fell 5.1%, their first decline since July 2023, while those to China were down 0.6%, after eight consecutive months of gains. Exports to the European Union were up 0.9%.
Sales of semiconductors rose 30.8%, the weakest growth in 11 months, while car sales fell 13.6%, their biggest drop since June 2020, due to strikes at major auto parts makers and shipping delays amid bad weather.
"The government will team up with the private sector and utilise all available resources to export even a dollar more by the end of the year," said Trade Minister Ahn Duk-geun.
Imports fell 2.4% to $50.74 billion, compared with gains of 1.7% in the previous month and 0.4% expected by economists. It was the first decline in five months.
The country posted a trade surplus of $5.61 billion in November, wider than a $3.15-billion surplus in October.
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North Korea has accused South Korea of flying a surveillance drone into its airspace earlier this month, an allegation Pyongyang says violates its sovereignty and comes just ahead of a major ruling party congress expected to shape policy for the next five years.
A South Korean court hearing the case of former President Yoon Suk Yeol on charges of insurrection postponed the sentencing request until next week after a lengthy session. This case could potentially lead to a death penalty verdict for Yoon due to his failed attempt to impose martial law in 2024.
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung said on Wednesday (7 January), that significant progress has been made in restoring trust with China. He also reiterated that relations with Japan are equally important for Seoul’s diplomacy amid shifting regional dynamics.
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung arrived in China this week for a four-day state visit, seeking to reset and deepen ties with Beijing at a time of heightened regional tensions and growing economic uncertainty.
U.S. President Donald Trump has warned that Iran could face a strong response from the United States if its authorities kill protesters amid ongoing unrest.
Iran is now facing a near‑total internet blackout as anti-government protests sweep the country. Major cities including Tehran have seen connectivity drop sharply, leaving millions of residents isolated from online communication.
New York City parents could soon have access to free childcare for two-year-old children following a joint announcement made by Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Governor Kathy Hochul on Thursday (8 January).
Tens of thousands of Iranians have taken to the streets in Tehran and across at least 28 cities in a wave of anti-government demonstrations, now entering their twelfth day.
Türkiye has stepped back from mediating between Pakistan and Afghanistan after repeated efforts failed to narrow deep differences between Islamabad and Kabul.
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The U.S. dollar's share of global reserves fell to nearly 40% at the end of 2025, according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), which says it's 10% lower than at the start of 2024. However, gold has risen and overtaken the dollar to be above 50% in global reserves according to the IMF data.
The U.S. dollar has strengthened against major peers on Tuesday, while the euro fell following slower-than-expected inflation in Europe. Market movements were relatively subdued as investors focused on upcoming U.S. economic data.
Wall Street closed higher on Tuesday, boosted by optimism over artificial intelligence (AI) and a strong rally in Moderna shares, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average approaching a record high.
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