SOUTH KOREAN exports rose slightly faster than expected in October but imports saw their sharpest drop in 13 months, dragged down by softer demand for raw materials and capital goods, data showed Saturday.

    Shipments were mainly propped up by demand from the United States and China, while consumer goods imports gained, easing concerns over a slow recovery in domestic spending.

    Exports grew 2.5 percent to US$51.8 billion in October from a year earlier and imports fell 3 percent to US$44.3 billion, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy said Saturday. Imports fell by the sharpest annual pace since a 3.5 percent decline in September 2013. This resulted in a trade surplus of a record US$7.5 billion, compared to a US$3.4 billion surplus in September.

    The data showed imports of consumer goods had risen 7.6 percent in the first 20 days of October on-year, compared to 3.4 and 9 percent drops in raw materials and capital goods over the same period, respectively.(SD-Agencies)