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2h ago

South Korea’s Exports Jump 12.7% in September to 42-Month High as Chip Sales Set Record

A global AI chip boom powered the surge despite U.S. tariffs that continue to curb American sales.

Shipping containers are seen at Pyeongtaek port in Pyeongtaek, South Korea, April 15, 2025. REUTERS/Kim Hong-Ji
South Korea exported a record $16.6 billion worth of semiconductors in September, driven by demand for high-value memory such as HBM chips used in AI servers
In this file photo taken July 31, 2025, containers wait to be shipped at a port in Busan, about 330 kilometers southeast of Seoul. (Yonhap)

Overview

  • Exports reached $65.95 billion in September, up 12.7% year over year and beating a Reuters poll that expected a 7.2% rise.
  • Semiconductor shipments climbed about 22% to roughly $16.6 billion, setting a new monthly high on AI-driven demand for advanced memory.
  • Third-quarter exports rose 6.6% to $185.03 billion, marking a new quarterly record above the $180 billion threshold.
  • Autos posted around $6.4 billion in exports, up about 17% led by hybrid and electric models despite the drag from U.S. duties.
  • Exports increased to most major markets, with China up 0.5% and ASEAN up 17.8%, while sales to the United States fell 1.4% under tariffs; trade-balance details diverged across outlets, with Reuters citing a $9.56 billion surplus on higher imports and Yonhap reporting a $5.64 billion surplus on lower imports as talks on tariff relief remain stalled.