South Korea's trade minister anticipates sustained export growth in May, citing strong performances in semiconductor and automotive sectors. Despite a 13.8 percent year-on-year expansion in April, reaching $56.2 billion, and a consistent seven-month growth trend, the country is expected to continue posting export growth and maintaining a trade surplus in May. Notably, exports to the US rose by 17.7 percent over the January-April period, with robust contributions from semiconductor chips, automobiles, machinery, and display products. The government aims to achieve record export performance this year, with a target of $700 billion in annual outbound shipments. The ministry credits the export growth to strong performances in the semiconductor and automotive industries, as well as positive export trends across various regions, including the United States, China, and the ASEAN bloc. The monthly export performance for May is set to be announced on Saturday, with expectations of continued growth driven by the burgeoning demand for semiconductors and vehicles.