South Korea's exports exceeded $85.89 billion in April, topping $80 billion for the second consecutive month. The figure jumped 48 percent from a year earlier, driven by robust semiconductor shipments. The trade surplus reached $23.77 billion, marking the second straight month above $20 billion.
Government data compiled by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources showed that South Korea's outbound shipments totaled $85.89 billion in April, up 48 percent on-year and the second-highest monthly figure after March's record $86.6 billion. Imports rose 16.7 percent to $62.11 billion, yielding a $23.77 billion trade surplus—the second consecutive month exceeding $20 billion.
The ministry attributed the surge mainly to a semiconductor supercycle. Chip exports hit a record $31.9 billion for any April, spiking 173.5 percent from a year earlier amid persistent demand for AI semiconductors and rising memory chip prices.
Petroleum product exports soared 39.9 percent to $5.11 billion despite lower shipment volumes, as oil prices surged due to the ongoing Middle East conflict, the ministry said. Auto exports fell 5.5 percent to $6.17 billion, partly from shipping disruptions in the Mideast crisis and Korean carmakers' U.S. production expansion in response to Washington's tariff policies.
By destination, exports to China jumped 62.5 percent to $17.7 billion for the sixth straight month on semiconductor and IT demand. Shipments to the U.S. gained 54 percent to $16.33 billion, ASEAN surged 64 percent to $15.41 billion, and the EU climbed 8.5 percent to $7.19 billion. Middle East exports tumbled 25.1 percent to $1.27 billion amid the prolonged U.S.-Iran war.
