정부, 6개월 연속 수출 감소…4월 경상수지 ‘적자’ 전망<br /><br />South Korea's finance ministry expects the nation's current account surplus for April to mark a deficit, for the first time in almost 7 years... while predictions for exports are also gloomy. <br />Kim Da-mi has more. <br />South Korea's finance minister Hong Nam-ki says the nation's current account is expected to mark a deficit for the month of April and record around 60 billion U.S. dollars.<br />In a closed meeting chaired by Hong on Friday, officials from ministries including trade, science and agriculture put their heads together to analyze the direct and indirect impact of the U.S.-China trade war on the country's economy.<br /> Korea's current account surplus has remained in the black for almost 7 consecutive years,... but authorities noted that April's deficit is only temporary...as foreigners received dividend payouts.<br /> There were also concerns that the country's exports will continue to decline this month...mainly due to the slowing global economy and lower prices of semiconductors.<br />If there is a fall,...it will mark the 6th consecutive month of poor exports. <br />"The first deficit in almost 7 years will shock the global market so the government needs to make sure that the exchange rate doesn't fluctuate and that there's no outflow of foreign capital."<br />The government will set up a revitalization group to boost efforts to increase exports by sectors and businesses especially in consumption goods.<br /> While focusing on expanding overseas marketing and trade finance, the finance ministry said it will also push for the supplementary budget to be passed.<br />Kim Da-mi, Arirang News. <br />
