south korea posted a trade deficit for a fifth straight month in august as exports growth moderated on weaker global demand for semiconductors and a slowdown in chinas economy exports grew 66 from a year earlier to 5667 billion following julys revised 92 increase according to preliminary data released by the trade ministry on thursday that missed market expectations for a 68 yearoveryear gain in exports for august shipments of computer chips fell on year amid declining global demand and lower semiconductor prices exports to china the countrys top trading partner and latin america shrank imports rose 282 to 6615 billion in august following a 218 rise in july on surging energy prices leading to a trade deficit of 947 billion higher prices of oil gas and other raw materials raised the value of imports exacerbating the countrys trade balance the ministry said