Containers are stacked at a logistics center belonging to Hankook Tire in Daejeon, as cargo transport has been suspended due to a nationwide strike of unionized cargo truckers since Nov. 24. Yonhap

By Yi Whan-woo

A nationwide strike by unionized cargo truckers is adding to concerns over Korea's worsening trade balance as the protest is hurting the nation's exports, which fell for the second straight month in November, according to industry officials Sunday.

The concerns come as the trade balance has remained in the red for the eight consecutive month in November for the first time since the 1997-1998 Asian financial crisis.

The Korea International Trade Association (KITA) said it has been receiving complaints from exporters over increases in domestic shipping costs, the disrupted supply of raw materials and suspensions of production since the strike began on Nov. 24.

In particular, they are being asked to pay penalties to overseas buyers for failing to deliver goods on time, and in some extreme cases, are losing customers, KITA noted.

Such business obstacles come amid speculation that Asia's fourth-largest economy is likely to see exports continue to decline in December due to the unfavorable global trade environment.

Korea's exports shrank 14 percent year-on-year to $51.91 billion in November, following a 5.7-percent drop to $52.48 billion in October, in the midst of dwindling global demand for semiconductors ― a staple export item ― as well as China's growth slowdown.

With surging energy prices, imports have exceeded exports since April and resulted in a trade deficit of $7.01 billion last month.