South Korea's exports rose 36.7 percent year-on-year to a record $25.2 billion in the April 1-10 period, fueled by strong semiconductor demand. Korea Customs Service data showed imports up 12.7 percent to $22.1 billion, resulting in a $3.1 billion trade surplus.
Data from the Korea Customs Service showed South Korea's outbound shipments reached $25.2 billion in the April 1-10 period, up 36.7 percent from $18.4 billion a year earlier. This marked the highest exports ever for the first 10 days of a month, surpassing the previous record of $21.7 billion set in March.
Semiconductor exports surged 152 percent to $8.6 billion amid the global artificial intelligence boom, accounting for 34 percent of total exports, up 15.6 percentage points from last year. Petroleum product shipments rose 38.6 percent to $1.8 billion, while automobile exports fell 6.7 percent to $1.7 billion and auto parts dipped 7.3 percent to $654 million.
Exports to China, the top trading partner, soared 63.8 percent to $5.7 billion. Shipments to the United States jumped 24 percent to $4.3 billion despite tariffs under U.S. President Donald Trump's administration.
Imports increased 12.7 percent to $22.1 billion, with semiconductors up 29.7 percent and crude oil gaining 8.7 percent to $2.8 billion for a third straight month. The agency attributed the oil import rise to higher global prices from Middle East tensions and a weak Korean won. Machinery imports fell 7.4 percent.
