South Korea exports reached $18.4 billion between 1 and 10 May. Strong demand for semiconductors drove the surge. The Korea Customs Service released the data on Monday.
Semiconductor Exports Hit Record High
Semiconductor exports soared 149.8% year-on-year to $8.54 billion. This marked a record for the period. Memory chip prices rose on demand for AI servers.
Imports grew 14.9% to $16.7 billion in the same period. As a result, South Korea posted a trade surplus of $1.7 billion. This builds on April’s 49.4% export growth. Tech remains the powerhouse for the export-driven economy.
Key Markets Fuel the Recovery
China exports soared 81.8% to $5.09B. Global supply chain shifts boosted key markets. AI infrastructure spending supports the chip boom. Firms like Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix benefit most. However, reliance on semiconductors raises risks if demand cools.
Shipments to the US rose 17.9% to $2.34B despite Trump tariffs. South Korea’s trade data signals sustained recovery. Exports now outpace imports steadily. Policymakers eye further gains from tech exports.
Investors should watch US-China trade talks and AI capital expenditure forecasts. These will shape South Korea exports in the months ahead.
