South Korea’s September Exports Hit Record $120.944 Billion
Exports rose 83.5% year over year, while semiconductor shipments surged 262.8% to $60.3 billion amid strong memory-product demand.
South Korea’s September exports reached a preliminary record of $120.944 billion, rising 83.5% from a year earlier as semiconductor shipments surged and lifted the country’s trade surplus.
The figures cover Sept. 1-30. Semiconductor exports climbed 262.8% to $60.3 billion, exceeding $60 billion for the first time. The increase was concentrated in memory products linked to AI-server and data-center investment.
Computer exports rose 435.3% to $7 billion. South Korea’s information and communications technology exports reached a first-half record of $253.9 billion, while semiconductor exports increased 162.5% during that period. Computer and peripheral exports rose 233.8%.
Imports increased 26% to $71.092 billion, producing a September trade surplus of $49.852 billion.
Exports for January through September totaled $814.531 billion, up 56.8% from the same period in 2025. Shipments to China rose 123% to $26 billion, while exports to the United States increased 137% to $24.33 billion.
Semiconductors and solid-state drives accounted for 83.7% of South Korea’s ICT exports during the first half of 2026. Stronger memory demand and prices were linked to investment in AI and other servers.
The preliminary figures may be revised when annual data are finalized in February 2027.
