Bustling South Korean port with semiconductor exports reaching record high
Image generated by AI

South Korea's exports hit record high of $87.8 billion in May

Image generated by AI
English

South Korea's exports jumped 53 percent from a year earlier to a record $87.8 billion in May, driven by the semiconductor supercycle.

According to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources, outbound shipments reached $87.8 billion, up 53 percent on-year. This marked the third straight month exports exceeded $80 billion.

Semiconductor exports surged 169.4 percent to an all-time high of $37.2 billion. Shipments of D-RAMs rose 369.8 percent to $18.6 billion, while NAND flash memory exports climbed 206.8 percent to $1.7 billion.

Imports increased 20.8 percent to $60.8 billion, producing a trade surplus of $26.95 billion. Exports to China grew 80.9 percent to $18.9 billion, and those to the United States rose 59.1 percent to $15.97 billion.

What people are saying

Users on X reacted to South Korea's May exports reaching a record $87.8 billion with a 53% year-over-year surge, crediting the semiconductor supercycle and AI demand. Posts noted the largest export jump since 1984 and a record trade surplus. Some highlighted semiconductor exports hitting $37 billion monthly. Discussions included positive views on economic recovery alongside notes on foreign investor outflows from Korean stocks despite the boom.

Related Articles

Illustration of South Korean exports surging with semiconductor shipments at a port.
Image generated by AI

South Korea exports surge 60.4 percent in early June

Reported by AI Image generated by AI

South Korea's exports jumped 60.4 percent in the first 20 days of June from a year earlier. Robust semiconductor shipments drove the figure to a record high.

South Korea's June exports exceed $100 billion for first time

South Korea's monthly exports surpassed $100 billion for the first time in June, driven by record semiconductor shipments.

South Korea exports jump 65 percent in first 20 days of May

Reported by AI

South Korea's exports rose 65 percent from a year earlier in the first 20 days of May, driven by a sharp increase in semiconductor shipments.

Asia

South Korea exports rise 43.7 percent in early May

Asia

South Korea posts record current account surplus in May

Asia

South Korea logs record current account surplus in March

South Korea economy recovers amid semiconductor export surge

The South Korean economy stayed on a modest recovery path in June as strong semiconductor exports offset a slowdown in manufacturing, a state-run think tank said.

South Korea posts second-largest current account surplus in April

Reported by AI

The Bank of Korea reported that the current account surplus reached $28.29 billion in April, the second-largest on record, driven by semiconductor exports.

July 22, 2026 15:13

South Korea's economy grows 0.6% in Q2 on strong chip exports

July 20, 2026 02:02

South Korea exports rise 52.3 percent in first 20 days of July on chip demand

July 12, 2026 11:49

South Korea exports rise 53.9 percent in first 10 days of July on chip shipments

July 01, 2026 08:22

South Korea sets June export record at $102 billion

June 29, 2026 02:17

South Korea industrial output falls 0.3 percent in May on chip adjustments

June 10, 2026 19:24

South Korea exports jump 86 percent in early June, set record high

April 30, 2026 19:04

South Korea's April exports top $85.89 billion for second month

This website uses cookies

We use cookies for analytics to improve our site. Read our privacy policy for more information.
Decline