South Korea recorded a 52.3% year-on-year rise in exports in the first 20 days of July, totaling about $54.9 billion, led by semiconductors which surged 180% to $22.1 billion. Passenger car exports fell about 10.6%, highlighting mixed performance across sectors. Exports to China jumped 94.1% and to the United States 39.6%, underpinning broad-based strength and contributing to a July 1-20 period that marked a record high. Imports rose 20% year on year to about $42.7 billion, yielding a trade surplus around $12.2 billion. The data point to resilient domestic demand and restocking, aided by government stimulus, even as energy costs and geopolitical risks could temper momentum. Some reports noted that while the period showed record-high levels for the start of July, daily averages indicated a month-over-month dip.