Sejong, September 9 (Yonhap) - South Korean automobile exports registered a significant increase in August from a year earlier, mainly due to a sharp decline in the same month last year, according to the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Energy.
Last month, five South Korean automakers exported a total of 230,480 vehicles, up 38.9 percent year on year, the government said.
"Exports recorded positive growth despite rising global uncertainties and overseas production by manufacturers, mainly due to a base effect," the ministry said in a press release.
The total monthly production had declined five manufacturers 115 975 units in August 2012, due to a prolonged strike by its unionized workers.
That base effect also led to an annual increase of 44.3 percent in the combined production of the manufacturers in August, according to the ministry.
Domestic sales of the five manufacturers rose 29 percent on-year to 111,067 units last month, while sales of imported vehicles also increased by 32.2 percent to 13,977 units.
