South Korea’s January Exports Jump 34% Driven by AI Semiconductor Surge
Updated (3 articles)
Record‑Breaking Export Growth in January South Korean exports rose 33.9% year‑on‑year to $65.85 billion, the highest January total on record and the first to top $600 billion in cumulative annual value, according to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources. The surge produced an $8.74 billion trade surplus, marking the 12th consecutive month of surplus balances. Imports also increased, up 11.7% to $57.1 billion, but the gap widened in favor of exports [1].
Semiconductor Shipments Lead Surge Semiconductor shipments reached $20.54 billion, a 102.7% jump driven by soaring memory‑chip prices and strong demand for AI‑powered servers. The AI‑driven demand accounted for the bulk of the export acceleration, outpacing growth in other high‑tech categories. This sector alone contributed more than one‑third of the total export value increase [1].
Automobile and Green Vehicle Exports Rise Automobile exports climbed 21.7% to $6.07 billion, helped by an extra number of working days in January and robust sales of eco‑friendly vehicles abroad. The rise reflects both seasonal calendar effects and growing international appetite for South Korea’s hybrid and electric models. Auto export growth complemented the broader high‑tech export momentum [1].
Wireless Devices and Computers Continue Gains Exports of wireless devices surged 66.9% to $2.03 billion, extending a three‑month winning streak, while computer exports jumped 89.2% to $1.55 billion for the fourth consecutive month. These categories benefited from heightened global demand for connectivity hardware and data‑center equipment. The sustained double‑digit growth underscores the diversification of South Korea’s export portfolio [1].
Export Destinations Expand, US Tariffs Impact Specific Sectors Shipments to China rose 46.7% to $13.51 billion and to the United States increased 29.5% to $12.02 billion, while ASEAN markets grew 40.7% to $12.11 billion and the EU up 6.9% to $5.39 billion. Despite overall growth, U.S. auto exports fell 13% and machinery fell 34% because of tariff pressures. The data illustrate both the breadth of market expansion and the lingering effects of trade barriers [1].
Timeline
2017 – South Korea records its largest trade surplus since 2017, a benchmark that underscores the significance of the $78 billion surplus reported for 2025 [2]
Nov 2025 – Exports climb 8.4% to $61.04 billion, the highest November total on record, as semiconductor shipments surge 38.6% to $17.26 billion driven by higher memory‑chip prices and AI data‑center demand; auto exports rise 13.7% to $6.41 billion and the trade surplus reaches $9.73 billion [3]
Dec 2025 – December outbound shipments expand 13.4% YoY to $69.6 billion, pushing the annual export total to a record $709.7 billion for 2025 and generating a $12.2 billion trade surplus for the month [2]
2025 (annual) – South Korea posts a record $709.7 billion in exports, up 3.8% YoY, with semiconductor sales jumping 22.2% to $173.4 billion on AI‑driven memory‑chip demand; auto, ship, bio‑health and computer exports also hit new highs, while shipments to the US and China slip modestly amid tariff pressures [2]
Jan 2026 – Exports surge 33.9% YoY to $65.85 billion, the highest January on record and the first to exceed $600 billion, as semiconductor shipments double to $20.54 billion on AI server demand and auto exports climb 21.7% to $6.07 billion; wireless devices and computers post 66.9% and 89.2% gains respectively [1]
Jan 2026 – The trade surplus widens to $8.74 billion, marking the 12th straight month of surplus, while export destinations expand sharply with China up 46.7% to $13.51 billion, the US up 29.5% to $12.02 billion despite tariff pressures, and ASEAN up 40.7% to $12.11 billion; US auto and machinery shipments fall 13% and 34% due to tariffs [1]
2026 (policy outlook) – The government announces a record 275 trillion won in trade‑insurance support for 2026 and accelerates AI transformation of manufacturing to keep annual exports above $700 billion for a second consecutive year, signaling strong policy backing for export growth [2]
2026 (minister’s comment) – Industry Minister Kim Jung‑kwan states that the export results “show resilience in a challenging environment” and pledges continued measures to safeguard the external sector [2]