According to the Korea Times, the next five years will provide an opportunity for Korean shipbuilders to construct cruise ships with a high-profit margin, the Korea Shipbuilders' Association said. The construction of luxury cruise ships declined steadily after the September 11 terrorist attacks on the United States. But with a recent favorable upturn, the market is expected to expand especially in the large and medium-size category through 2010, with an annual growth rate of about 5 percent, the association said. This prospect of stronger demand for cruise ships will offer local shipbuilders opportunities to venture into the construction of cruise ships with less risk. South Korea is the no.1 shipbuilding country in the world with aggregate exports of $17.6 billion last year.