In brief
South Korea’s exports jumped 93.7% to a record $115.3 billion in October, powered largely by a massive surge in semiconductor shipments. The trade surplus widened to $42.5 billion, with strong demand from China and the United States lifting exports of electronics, petroleum, cosmetics and automobiles.
South Korea’s exports leapt 93.7 percent to a record $115.3 billion in October from a year earlier, according to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources and reported by WAM on 1 November 2026.
The export surge was largely driven by semiconductor shipments, which climbed 259 percent year‑over‑year to $56.4 billion, as global demand for chips elevated by investments in artificial intelligence infrastructure.
Exports of petroleum products jumped 80 percent to $6.92 billion, while petrochemical exports rose 27.5 percent to $4 billion.
Cosmetics shipments saw a 57.5 percent increase to $1.44 billion, and automobile exports grew 18.1 percent to $6.55 billion, buoyed by overseas demand for gasoline‑hybrid models.
By destination, exports to China surged 133.6 percent to $26.98 billion and topped $20 billion for the fifth consecutive month. Shipments to the United States increased 185.8 percent to $24.9 billion, supported by strong demand for semiconductors, computers, and electrical equipment used in AI infrastructure.
Imports rose 36 percent year‑over‑year to $72.78 billion, resulting in a trade surplus of $42.5 billion, according to WAM."
