South Korea’s exports surged at their fastest pace in nearly 50 years last month, far exceeding expectations, driven by a sharp increase in chip shipments fueled by the global AI investment boom.
Exports from Asia’s fourth-largest economy climbed 70.9 percent year-on-year in June to $102.25 billion, accelerating from a 53.4 percent gain in May and marking the strongest annual rise since October 1978, according to preliminary trade data released on Wednesday.
South Korea becomes fourth country globally to surpass $100 billion in monthly exports
South Korea’s semiconductor exports jumped 199.5 percent to $44.8 billion, positioning South Korea as only the fourth country globally to surpass $100 billion in monthly exports, alongside Germany, China and the United States, according to the trade ministry.
Home to major chipmakers such as Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix, South Korea has seen exports rise steadily since June 2025, with double-digit gains since December as global AI-driven demand pushes up memory chip prices.
A separate survey released on Wednesday showed manufacturing activity expanded for a seventh straight month in June, though at a slower pace due to weaker export demand.
By sector, computer exports soared 308.8 percent amid rising AI-related investment by major tech firms, while steel returned to growth with a 9.6 percent increase after 13 months of declines, supported by data center construction. Petroleum product exports climbed 49.8 percent on elevated oil prices.
Regionally, shipments to China and the U.S. rose 92.1 percent and 78.6 percent, respectively, while exports to the EU increased 31.8 percent. Exports to the Middle East, however, fell 8.4 percent.
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South Korea posts record trade surplus of $36.15 billion
South Korea’s imports increased 30.1 percent to $66.10 billion, accelerating from a 20.7 percent rise in the previous month and surpassing economists’ expectations of a 26.3 percent gain. This marked the fastest import growth since May 2022.
The country recorded a monthly trade surplus of $36.15 billion, the largest on record, lifting its cumulative trade surplus for the first half of the year to $138.3 billion. That already exceeds the full-year surplus of $77.4 billion posted in 2025.
