South Korea's exports reached a record $709.7 billion in 2025, surpassing the $700 billion mark for the first time. The surge was driven by strong semiconductor demand, leading to the largest trade surplus since 2017 at $78 billion. Industry Minister Kim Jung-kwan highlighted the economy's resilience amid global challenges.
South Korea's exports climbed 3.8 percent year-on-year to a record $709.7 billion in 2025, crossing the $700 billion threshold for the first time, according to data from the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources. Semiconductor exports surged 22.2 percent to $173.4 billion, fueled by artificial intelligence demand, while imports dipped 0.02 percent to $631.7 billion, yielding the biggest trade surplus since 2017 at $78 billion.
The ministry credited the boom to strong performances in key sectors like semiconductors, automobiles, and ships, alongside growth in agro-fisheries and cosmetics. Car exports rose 1.7 percent to $72 billion despite U.S. tariffs, ships advanced 24.9 percent to $32 billion, biohealth increased 7.9 percent to $16.3 billion, agro-fisheries 6 percent to $12.4 billion, and cosmetics 11.8 percent to $11.4 billion, boosted by Korean cultural appeal. Petrochemicals and steel fell 11.4 percent and 9 percent to $42.5 billion and $30.3 billion, respectively, due to global oversupply.
Export markets diversified: shipments to the U.S. dropped 3.8 percent to $122.9 billion amid Trump administration tariffs, narrowing the surplus there to $49.5 billion; China saw a 1.7 percent decline to $130.8 billion from weak demand in petrochemicals and machinery. ASEAN rose 7.4 percent to $122.5 billion on semiconductors, the EU 3 percent to $70.1 billion for autos and ships, CIS 18.6 percent to $13.7 billion, India 2.9 percent to a record $19.2 billion, the Middle East 3.8 percent to $20.4 billion, and Latin America 6.9 percent to $31 billion.
December exports grew 13.4 percent to $69.6 billion, marking 11 straight months of gains, with a $12.2 billion surplus. "This achievement, realized amid challenging domestic and external conditions, reflects the strong resilience and growth potential of our economy," Industry Minister Kim Jung-kwan said in a statement. The government plans record 275 trillion won in trade insurance and AI-driven manufacturing upgrades to sustain exports above $700 billion.
