Imports also jumped 17.7 percent on-year to $478.1 billion last year as Asia's fourth-largest economy posted a combined $1 trillion in trade for the first time in three years.

South Korea's trade surplus came to $95.8 billion, up from $89.2 billion the year before, the ministry said.

Key export products posted solid growth, as overseas sales of semiconductors soared 57.4 percent on-year to reach $97.9 billion to top the $90 billion mark for the first time in history.

Exports of machinery rose 10.2 percent to hit a record $48.7 billion, while those of oil products and steel products jumped 23.5 percent and 20 percent, respectively.

Shipments of displays and vehicles also gained 9.1 percent and 3.9 percent, respectively, to lend support to the exports rally last year.

Meanwhile, exports of wireless devices slumped 25.5 percent and those of home appliances 22.5 percent due to contracted world demand.

By region, exports to China rose to $13.8 billion last year, accounting for 24.8 percent of the country's total exports, down slightly from a 25.1 percent share in 2016.

Exports to the United States, the country's second-largest trade partner, added 3.2 percent on-year, but South Korea's trade surplus tumbled 22.7 percent to $18 billion due to an increase in imports of natural gas and machinery.

For the month of December, South Korea's exports rose 8.9 percent on-year to $49.1 billion to extend the rally to the 14th consecutive month.

Imports gained 13 percent to $43.3 billion last month, with a trade surplus of $5.8 billion. (Yonhap)