South Korea’s exports rose 78% in the first 20 days of September — Korea Herald
South Korea’s exports during the first 20 days of September increased by 78% year-on-year to $71.4 billion. Semiconductor shipments were the main driver of this growth, Korea Herald reports, citing data from the Korea Customs Service.
During the same period in 2025, exports totaled $40 billion. The current figure was the highest for a 20-day period; the previous record was set in June this year at $61.7 billion.
Record chip shipments
Semiconductor exports rose by 259% to $34.12 billion. Shipments of petroleum products increased by 47.8% to $4 billion, while car exports grew by 9.3% to $3.73 billion.
More current news is available on the UA.News Telegram channel Telegram.
Overseas sales of steel products and ships also increased, by 8% and 63% respectively. At the same time, exports of mobile devices declined by 0.4% to $1.24 billion.
Trade with China and the United States
Exports to China more than doubled, reaching $16.6 billion. Shipments to the United States rose by 118% to $14.2 billion.
South Korea’s imports from September 1 to 20 increased by 26.7% year-on-year to $48.4 billion. As a result, the trade surplus totaled $23 billion. The country’s cumulative exports since the start of the year reached $764.9 billion, while the accumulated trade surplus amounted to $225.5 billion.
