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[Ulsan = Yonhap News] Panoramic view of Hyundai Motor's export shipping wharf at the Ulsan Plant. [Yonhap News Archive Photo]

According to Yonhap News,

(Ulsan = Yonhap News) Reporter Heo Kwang-mu – Ulsan's exports for the month of May expanded by more than 20 percent compared to the same period last year.

According to the 'May 2026 Ulsan Export and Import Trends Report' released by the Ulsan Regional Headquarters of the Korea International Trade Association (KITA) on the 17th, exports in May this year reached USD 8.467 billion, marking a 23.5 percent increase from USD 6.855 billion in May last year.

By product category, despite the growth in eco-friendly vehicle exports such as hybrids and electric vehicles (EVs), automotive exports stopped at USD 1.9 billion, a 2.3 percent decrease, dragged down by sluggish exports of passenger cars, the largest segment.

Petroleum products recorded USD 2.6 billion, a 57 percent surge, which is analyzed to have been driven by an increase in export unit prices resulting from the rise in international oil prices. Petrochemical products also recorded USD 700 million, a 3.9 percent increase, backed by rising product prices due to high oil prices.

Vessels remained at USD 700 million, an 8.8 percent decline, as a substantial drop in actual ships offset the growth in exports of marine engines and components.

Ulsan's imports in May were tallied at USD 4.8 billion, a 21.5 percent increase from last year, as both the volume and unit price of crude oil rose.

Consequently, the trade balance for May posted a surplus of USD 3.7 billion.

hkm@yna.co.kr



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Source Text

Source: Yonhap News (June 17, 2026)

** This article was translated from Korean.