Key facts
- South Korea's exports surged 78% year-on-year in the first 20 days of September.
- Outbound shipments reached $71.4 billion in the Sept. 1-20 period, up from $40 billion in the same period last year.
- Imports rose 26.7% to $48.4 billion during the same period.
- Chip exports increased 259% to $34.12 billion.
- Exports to China more than doubled to $16.6 billion.
- Exports to the United States surged 118% to $14.2 billion.
South Korea's exports surged 78 percent from a year earlier in the first 20 days of September, driven by strong shipments of semiconductors, according to data from the Korea Customs Service. Outbound shipments reached $71.4 billion in the Sept. 1-20 period, a significant increase from $40 billion posted in the same period in 2025. This marks the highest volume for the 20-day tally, surpassing the previous record of $61.7 billion in June. Imports rose 26.7 percent on-year to $48.4 billion during the same period, resulting in a trade surplus of $23 billion. Exports of chips saw a substantial jump of 259 percent, reaching $34.12 billion. Petroleum products and cars also saw increases of 47.8 percent and 9.3 percent, respectively. Exports to China more than doubled to $16.6 billion, while those to the United States surged 118 percent to $14.2 billion.