South Korea’s exports surged 70.9% yoy to a record high of USD 102.25 billion in June 2026, accelerating sharply from an upwardly revised 53.4% jump in May and marking the strongest growth since June 1976. Exports exceeded USD 100 billion for the first time, mainly driven by a surge in semiconductor shipments. Shipments rose for the 13th straight month, with semiconductor exports soaring 199.5% to a record USD 44.82 billion, surpassing USD 40 billion for the first time, driven by strong demand for memory chips. Computer exports also surged more than 300%, while shipments of wireless communication devices and petroleum products jumped 51.9% and 49.8%, respectively. Meanwhile, auto exports rose 5.8% after falling in May. Shipments to China jumped 92.1%, driven by semiconductors, petrochemical products, machinery, and mobile devices, while those to the US soared 78.6%, boosted by expanding investment in AI servers. For H1 of the year, exports increased 48.4% yoy to USD 496.7 billion. source: Ministry of Trade, Industry & Energy (MOTIE)

Exports YoY in South Korea increased to 70.90 percent in June from 53.40 percent in May of 2026. Exports YoY in South Korea averaged 15.96 percent from 1967 until 2026, reaching an all time high of 148.58 percent in October of 1973 and a record low of -35.77 percent in January of 2009. This page includes a chart with historical data for South Korea Exports YoY. South Korea Exports YoY - data, historical chart, forecasts and calendar of releases - was last updated on July of 2026.



Calendar GMT Reference Actual Previous Consensus TEForecast
2026-06-01 12:00 AM
Exports YoY
May 53.2% 48% 48.4%
2026-07-01 12:00 AM
Exports YoY
Jun 70.9% 53.4%
2026-08-01 12:00 AM
Exports YoY
Jul 70.9%


South Korea Exports YoY
Actual Previous Highest Lowest Dates Unit Frequency
70.90 53.40 148.58 -35.77 1967 - 2026 percent Monthly

News Stream
South Korea Exports Top $100 Billion for 1st Time
South Korea’s exports surged 70.9% yoy to a record high of USD 102.25 billion in June 2026, accelerating sharply from an upwardly revised 53.4% jump in May and marking the strongest growth since June 1976. Exports exceeded USD 100 billion for the first time, mainly driven by a surge in semiconductor shipments. Shipments rose for the 13th straight month, with semiconductor exports soaring 199.5% to a record USD 44.82 billion, surpassing USD 40 billion for the first time, driven by strong demand for memory chips. Computer exports also surged more than 300%, while shipments of wireless communication devices and petroleum products jumped 51.9% and 49.8%, respectively. Meanwhile, auto exports rose 5.8% after falling in May. Shipments to China jumped 92.1%, driven by semiconductors, petrochemical products, machinery, and mobile devices, while those to the US soared 78.6%, boosted by expanding investment in AI servers. For H1 of the year, exports increased 48.4% yoy to USD 496.7 billion.
2026-07-01
South Korea Exports Reach Fresh Record High
South Korea’s exports jumped 53.2% yoy to a record high of USD 87.75 billion in May 2026, surpassing forecasts of 48.4%, accelerating from a 48% rise in April. Exports exceeded USD 80 billion for the 3rd straight month, mainly driven by a surge in semiconductor shipments. Shipments rose for a 12th straight month, with semiconductor sales soaring 169.4% to a record USD 37.16 billion, lifted by strong AI investment. Exports of computers also surged 290.7%, while shipments of wireless communication devices and displays rose 12.6% and 9.4%, respectively. By contrast, auto shipments continued to decline, falling 5.9%, partly due to shipping disruptions caused by the war in the Middle East, fewer working days, and Korean carmakers' expansion of production in the US in response to Washington's tariff policies. Shipments to China surged 80.9%, driven by semiconductors and consumer goods, while those to the US and ASEAN rose 59.1% and 58.4%, respectively.
2026-06-01
South Korea Exports Rise More than Expected
South Korea’s exports soared 48% yoy to USD 85.89 billion in April 2026, surpassing forecasts of 45.3%, though slightly easing from an upwardly revised 49.2% jump in March. Exports exceeded USD 80 billion for the 2d straight month, mainly driven by a surge in semiconductor shipments. Shipments rose for an 11th straight month, with semiconductor sales soaring 173.5% to USD 31.9 billion, the highest-ever figure for any April, fueled by strong AI investment and rising memory chip prices. Exports also jumped for petroleum products (39.9%), boosted by rising oil prices due to the ongoing Middle East conflict. By contrast, auto shipments fell 5.5%, partly due to shipping disruptions amid the Iran war and Korean carmakers’ expansion of production in the US in response to Washington’s tariff policies. Shipments to China (62.5%) and the US (54%) jumped, driven by semiconductors, while those to ASEAN surged by 64%. Exports to the Middle East slumped 25.1% due to the ongoing regional crisis.
2026-05-01


International Trade
Exports by Country  |   Exports by Category  |   Imports by Country  |   Imports by Category