South Korea's exports for the first 20 days of April fell 5.2 percent from a year earlier, dragged down by US-bound shipments, customs data showed on Monday, amid US President Donald Trump's sweeping tariff policies.

From this month, the US has introduced 10 percent blanket tariffs and 25 percent auto tariffs, while 25 percent reciprocal tariffs on South Korea are currently paused for 90 days.

Exports to the US fell 14.3 percent, while those to China declined 3.4 percent. Shipments to the European Union rose 13.8 percent.

By product, exports of cars fell 6.5 percent and car parts lost 1.7 percent, while semiconductors rose 10.7 percent. (AFP)