According to the data compiled by the state-run Korea Health Industry Development Institute, the country's cosmetics exports reached US$740 million (approximately 804.7 billion won) in the first six months of 2014, up 34.5 percent from the same period last year.
In particular, cosmetics exports to Europe, North America and Asia jumped 72.5 percent, 44.4 percent and 32.2 percent over the cited period, respectively, the data said.
Industry sources attributed the rise in cosmetics exports to the hallyu fever and cosmetics manufacturers' active publicity activities abroad.
Cosmetics imports rose 12.5 percent to $690 million in the January-June period from a year earlier, according to the data.
reporter
Park Sae-jin
swatchsjp@ajunews.com
