South Korea's exports expanded 14.9 percent year-on-year in the first 20 days of January, reaching $36.36 billion, fueled by strong semiconductor demand. Imports grew 4.2 percent to $36.98 billion, resulting in a $600 million trade deficit. Data from the Korea Customs Service underscores ongoing growth in key sectors.
South Korea's exports rose 14.9 percent from a year earlier to $36.36 billion in the January 1-20 period of 2026, according to data from the Korea Customs Service released on Wednesday. The growth was propelled by robust demand for semiconductors, which surged 70.2 percent to $10.73 billion and accounted for 29.5 percent of total exports, up 9.6 percentage points from the previous year.
Petroleum product exports climbed 17.6 percent to $2.46 billion, while steel shipments edged up 1.2 percent to $2.4 billion. However, automobile exports fell 10.8 percent to $2.87 billion, and vessel shipments dropped 18.1 percent to $1.33 billion.
By destination, exports to China, South Korea's largest trading partner, soared 30.2 percent to $8.45 billion. Shipments to the United States increased 19.3 percent to $6.66 billion, despite tariff measures under U.S. President Donald Trump's administration.
The daily average export volume also advanced 14.9 percent, with the number of working days unchanged at 14.5 from a year ago. In December 2025, exports grew 13.4 percent to $69.6 billion, marking the 11th straight month of gains. For the full year of 2025, outbound shipments hit a record $709.7 billion. This performance highlights the resilience of South Korea's export-driven economy, particularly in high-tech sectors.
