Semiconductors, autos, mobile phone handsets and ships led the outstanding performance in exports, the ministry of commerce, industry and energy said in a preliminary report based on customs clearance.

Exports jumped 31.2 percent year-on-year to hit 254.22 billion dollars in 2004, the biggest ever reported by the country, the report said. Imports also rose 25.5 percent to 224.47 billion dollars last year.

The trade surplus of 29.75 billion dollars was nearly a two-fold increase from 14.99 billion dollars reported in 2003, it said.

"The country's annual exports exceeded the 250-billion-dollar level in volume for the first time last year," the ministry said in a statement, adding the event was the "biggest news" for the trade year of 2004.

"The world's overall economic recovery and strong demand for our semiconductors, cars and mobile phones contributed to such a good performance in exports."

South Korea is the world's 11th-largest economy and exports serve as a key growth engine.

Exports of semiconductors rose 35.4 percent year-on-year in 2004, while shipments of telecommunication equipment and cars shot up 41.1 percent and 39.5 percent respectively, according to the ministry report.