Foreigners have purchased 961 billion won ($883 million) in South Korean stocks so far this month, according to data from the country's main stock exchange.

Korea's benchmark index closed at a record high April 14. The Korea Composite Stock Price Index climbed 0.9 percent to 2,141.06 points. Automakers led gains, and shares of Hyundai Motor and Kia Motors climbed to record highs. Hynix Semiconductor is near its highest price since August, 2007.

South Korea's exports to Japan rose 53.8 percent year-on-year in March, according to figures released April 15 by the Korea Customs Service, led by oil and food products. It was the second-highest annual growth rate for exports in 11 years.

The Bank of Korea forecast on April 13 that South Korean inflation would reach 3.9 percent in 2011, faster than its previous estimate of 3.5 percent. It projected that GDP would grow 4.5 percent, down from 6.2 percent in 2010. Despite accelerating inflation, the bank kept its benchmark policy rate unchanged in April at 3 percent after raising it twice this year. The bank said it wanted to gauge the impact of rising oil prices on the economy.