SEOUL, Oct. 21 (Xinhua) -- South Korea's export fell for the first 20 days of October owing to fewer business days, customs office data showed Wednesday.

Export, which accounts for about half of the export-driven economy, amounted to 25.2 billion U.S. dollars during the October 1-20 period, down 5.8 percent from the same period of last year, according to Korea Customs Service.

It was mainly attributable to fewer working days. The number of business days reduced 1.5 days in the cited period.

The daily average export, which excludes the working-day effect, expanded 5.9 percent in the 20-day period.

Export for oil products, cars and telecommunication devices, such as smartphone, retreated 42.1 percent, 7.6 percent and 1.7 percent each.

Shipment for semiconductors, computers and precision machinery grew 12.1 percent, 10.5 percent and 1.9 percent respectively.

Export to China, South Korea's biggest trading partner, shrank 4.6 percent in the 20-day period, with those to the United States and Japan skidding 2.3 percent and 17.0 percent each.

Shipment to the European Union (EU) and Vietnam gained 13.8 percent and 0.7 percent respectively.

Import slipped 2.8 percent over the year to 24.7 billion dollars for the first 20 days of October, sending the trade surplus to 0.5 billion dollars. Enditem

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