South Korea imported 8.37 million mt of thermal coal in January, 12% more year on year, but 3% less than December's 17-month high, according to customs data Tuesday.
Of the total, 7.66 million mt was bituminous coal, while the remaining 706,204 mt was sub-bituminous.
Australia remained the largest shipper of imported thermal coal to the country in January at 3.34 million mt, jumping 21% on the year, but falling 25% from December, which had been the highest monthly volume since Platts records began in January 2012.
Imports from Indonesia in January climbed 15% year on year to a nine-month high of 3.12 million mt, up 22% from December.
South Korea's thermal coal imports from Russia in January fell 10% on the year to 1.44 million mt, also down 8% from December's five-month high.
South Africa shipped 164,978 mt of thermal coal to South Korea In January for the first time since April last year.
