1.   Analysts said the import growth slowed in the third quarter as corporations refrained from importing capital goods for facility investment, expecting an economic downturn.

2.   Reduced facility investment cuts into imports of capital goods and raw materials.

3.   The economy is showing slower growth amid weaker facility investment after three years of rapid growth, so the trade deficit is expected to continue falling, analysts said.

4.   Exports and facility investments will be sluggish this year, following high growth last year.

5.   Many South Korean companies were left vulnerable as the economy started to slow down last year and sales did not match their aggressive facilities investment.

6.   Imports, exceeding the increase rate of exports, surged because of a large influx of capital goods, ordered for expanding facility investments.

7.   Expansion was led by an export surge and hectic facility investment as well as strong private consumption.

8.   The robust growth, which outstripped expectations, was fueled by a surge in facility investment and a sharp increase in exports.

9.   The BOK said the imports increased drastically because the booming economy needed more facility investment, raw materials and parts.

10.   The expansion was led by booming exports and hectic facility investment as well as strong private consumption.