Key facts
- South Korea's October exports rose 93.7% to $115.28 billion.
- Semiconductor exports jumped 259.4% due to high prices and volume.
- Computer sales surged 496.6% driven by AI server demand.
- Imports increased 36.0% to $72.78 billion.
- The monthly trade surplus narrowed to $42.50 billion.
South Korea's exports surged 93.7% in October from a year earlier to $115.28 billion, marking the strongest growth since January 1974. The increase was boosted by favorable calendar effects from more working days due to the timing difference in local Chuseok holidays. Semiconductor sales jumped 259.4% as prices and volume remained high amid global competition for artificial intelligence industry leadership. Computer sales surged 496.6% on increasing server demand for AI services. Imports rose 36.0% to $72.78 billion, resulting in a trade surplus of $42.50 billion, narrower than the previous month's record.