Korea’s Export Slump Eases on More Work Days, Lockdown Lifts

South Korea’s exports fell at a slower pace in June as economies emerged from lockdowns, offering a sign that the worst of a slump in overseas demand may be over, though economists warned a recovery would likely be slow. The value of overseas shipments fell 11% from a year earlier, according to trade ministry data released Wednesday, improving from declines in excess of 20% in the previous two months. Economists had forecast a 9.1% contraction. The snapshot of Korean export health was complicated by extra working days in June that likely masked some weakness.