Korea's exports in April increased compared to the same period last year, but as energy prices soared, the trade balance recorded a deficit again following March.
According to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, exports last month increased by 12.6 percent to $57.69 billion and imports increased by 18.6 percent to $60.35 billion, respectively.
As a result, the trade balance was $2.66 billion in deficit.
The reason why the country recorded a trade deficit following the previous month, despite an increase in exports, was due to a surge in energy prices around the world.
Last month, energy imports such as oil, gas, and coal amounted to $14.81 billion, nearly doubling from April last year.