Marking the third-highest figure on record
Korea’s exports in August totaled $98.25 billion, a 68.7% increase compared to the same month last year. This marks the third-highest figure on record, following this year’s record-breaking figures in June ($102 billion) and July ($99 billion). Meanwhile, the trade surplus reached $34.75 billion, exceeding $30 billion for the third consecutive month. The cumulative surplus from January to August stands at $202.5 billion.
Semiconductor exports amounted to $46.65 billion, accounting for 47.5% of the total. This represents a 209% increase from the same month last year, setting a new all-time record. This is attributed to the exponential demand for artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure, driven by expanded capital investment by hyperscalers such as Google and Amazon.
Other information technology (IT) items also showed strong performances. Exports of storage devices for data centers are a prime example. Computer exports surged by 419.5% to $6.24 billion, marking an all-time monthly record with the sharp increase in exports of enterprise SSDs — which are statistically classified as computer items — and the prices of NAND flash memory, a key component, also rose.
Wireless communication devices ($1.88 billion, up 21.2%) also grew for the tenth consecutive month, driven by sales of new products such as the Samsung Galaxy S26.
Exports of 14 out of the top 20 major items increased. However, some major items saw a decline due to temporary factors. Automobile exports amounted to only $3.85 billion, down 29.8% from the same month last year. This was due to a combination of base effects resulting from the shift in summer vacation timing, partial strikes, and the growing trend toward local production in the United States. Ship exports also fell 45.9% to $1.69 billion as delivery volumes decreased.
By region, there were increases in seven out of Korea’s nine major export markets. Exports to China ($24.1 billion) and the United States ($16.5 billion) increased by 119.3% and 89.3%, respectively, driven by semiconductors and computers. Computer exports to the USA surged by a massive 1,040%.
A spokesperson for the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy explained, “It is a positive sign that our export base is expanding, as strong semiconductor exports continue to lead the way, while exports of non-semiconductor items are also recording a high growth rate of 20%,” adding, “The government will not rest on its laurels based on the current export boom, and we will closely monitor the impact of changes in the global trade environment on the exports of our companies.”
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