South Korea's exports of information and communication technology (ICT) products inched down in July from a year earlier due to a slowdown of global demand in smartphone and computer products, government data showed Thursday.

Outbound shipments of ICT products came to $19.34 billion last month, slightly down from $19.48 billion a year earlier, according to the data compiled by the Ministry of Science and ICT.

South Korea's ICT imports in July grew 16.8 percent on-year to $13.22 billion, resulting in a trade surplus of $6.12 billion in the sector, the data showed.

Exports of semiconductors, which accounted for 58.8 percent of all ICT shipments, rose 3.1 percent to $11.4 billion, but shipments of other key products, such as displays, smartphones and computers, all fell.

Shipments of display products declined 4.7 percent to $2 billion, while smartphone exports plunged 29.2 percent to $680 million. Computer-related exports also tumbled 21.9 percent to $1.2 billion.

The ministry said exports of mobile phones and computers decreased "due to stagnation in consumption caused by the global economic slowdown." It also cited a reduction of working days in the month.

By nation, combined shipments to China, South Korea's largest trading partner, and Hong Kong dropped 8.2 percent on-year to 19.3 billion. Exports to the United States and Japan also fell 9.2 percent and 5.4 percent, respectively.

Exports to Vietnam and the European Union rose 5.7 percent and 12.9 percent, respectively, in July. (Yonhap)