South Korea: Exports at record levels thanks to the AI boom

SEOUL, Oct. 1 /ATSH-DPA/ – South Korea’s exports rose sharply in September, driven by continued global demand for artificial intelligence, government data showed today.

“Exports rose by 83.5% compared to the same month a year earlier, reaching a record of $120.9 billion,” according to data from the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources.

Semiconductor exports passed the $60 billion mark for the first time.

Chips now make up about half of South Korea’s total exports.

South Korea is home to Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix, two of the world’s leading memory chip manufacturers.

Meanwhile, imports rose much more slowly, by 26% compared to September 2025.

As a result, South Korea recorded a record trade surplus of $49.9 billion for the month.