(LEAD) S. Korea's Sept. exports hit record US$120.9 bln on robust chip sales

(ATTN: CHANGES headline and photo; ADDS details in last 7 paras) SEOUL, Oct. 1 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's exports soared 83.5 percent to a record US$120.9 billion in September from a year earlier, driven by a surge in chip shipments, data showed Thursday. Semiconductor exports exceeded $60 billion for the first time ever last month, boosting overall export figures, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources said in a press release. Imports climbed 26 percent from a year earlier to $71.09 billion, resulting in an unprecedented trade surplus of $49.85 billion. By sector, semiconductor exports, a key pillar of Asia's fourth-largest economy, skyrocketed 263 percent during the period to $60.3 billion, helped by increased shipments and higher product prices amid rising demand for memory chips. Exports of petroleum products jumped 72 percent to $7.22 billion, while those of petrochemical products rose 5.1 percent to $3.95 billion. Cosmetics exports shot up 31.4 percent to $1.51 billion on rising demand in China, the United States and the European Union. Automobile exports, however, fell 5.5 percent to $6.05 billion, hurt by fewer working days driven by the Chuseok holiday and a decline in used-car exports. By destination, exports to China vaulted 123 percent to $26 billion, driven by strong shipments of semiconductors and wireless communications equipment. Exports to China exceeded $20 billion for the four consecutive month. Shipments to the U. S. surged 137 percent to $24.33 billion, driven by robust demand for chips, petrochemical products and general machinery. kyongae.choi@yna.co.kr(END)