EL7.AI
Macro EconomyMedium•1 November 2026•
1 min read

South Korea Exports Hit Record $115.3 Billion on Semiconductor Surge

Key Facts

1South Korea's exports jumped 93.7% to a record $115.3 billion in October compared to a year earlier.
2Semiconductor exports skyrocketed 259% to $56.4 billion, driven by global AI infrastructure demand.
3The country recorded a trade surplus of $42.5 billion as imports rose 36% to $72.78 billion.

South Korea's exports jumped 93.7% to a record $115.3 billion in October compared to a year earlier. Yonhap News Agency reported that the surge was primarily driven by semiconductor exports, which skyrocketed 259% to $56.4 billion due to global demand for artificial intelligence infrastructure. The country recorded a trade surplus of $42.5 billion for the month as imports rose 36% to $72.78 billion.

The record figures follow a 3.4% year-on-year expansion in South Korea's GDP reported on October 26, 2026, which exceeded the 3% forecast. According to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources, other sectors also showed growth, with automobile exports gaining 18.1% to $6.55 billion, while shipments to the United States surged 185.8% to $24.9 billion supported by demand for computers and electrical equipment.

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