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Back(LEAD) Exports double in first 10 days of October on chips
(LEAD) Exports double in first 10 days of October on chips
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Yonhap News1 hour agoBusiness1 min readSouth Korea

(LEAD) Exports double in first 10 days of October on chips

south koreaexportssemiconductors

Quick Look

  • South Korea's exports reached $26.1 billion in the first 10 days of October, more than doubling from a year earlier, according to customs data released Monday.
  • The surge was led by a 170.9% increase in semiconductor shipments to $12.1 billion, with strong growth also seen in cars, petroleum products, and steel.
  • Exports to China and the United States saw particularly sharp increases, rising 167% and 159.9% respectively.

AI-generated summary

Why It Matters

South Korea's export performance is closely tied to global semiconductor cycles, with chips historically representing a major share of its outbound shipments. The data reflects ongoing recovery in global tech demand following a period of inventory correction.

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SEOUL, Oct. 12 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's exports more than doubled from a year earlier during the first 10 days of October, customs data showed Monday, on the back of the global semiconductor upcycle.

Outbound shipments reached US$26.1 billion in the Oct. 1-10 period, according to the data from the Korea Customs Service.

It marked the highest export value for the period, surpassing the previous record of $15.3 billion set in the first 10 days of October 2025.

The daily average export total came to $4.75 billion, setting a new record for any 10-day period as well.

Imports went up 65.5 percent on-year to $22.3 billion over the cited period, resulting in a trade surplus of $3.8 billion.

By sector, outbound shipments of chips vaulted 170.9 percent to $12.1 billion, while those of petroleum products rose 45.6 percent to $1.75 billion.

Exports of cars surged 82.7 percent to $1.21 billion, while those of steel products increased 49.4 percent to $1 billion. Ship exports, however, fell 13.4 percent to $682 million.

By destination, exports to China soared 167 percent to $7.59 billion, while those to the United States jumped 159.9 percent to $3.65 billion.

Exports to Vietnam rose 89.7 percent to $2.4 billion, the latest findings showed.

What to Watch

AI outlook โ€” possibilities, not facts

  • South Korea's monthly export growth will remain elevated if global semiconductor demand continues its current trajectory

    Likely ยท Within months

Open Questions

  • Whether the export surge can be sustained beyond the initial 10-day period
  • How domestic consumption and investment trends are evolving alongside export strength
  • What specific product categories within semiconductors drove the growth

Related Topics

south korea
OrganizationsKorea Customs Service
PlacesSeoulSouth KoreaChinaUnited States
Topicsexportssemiconductorscustoms datatrade surpluschinaunited states
This article was originally published by Yonhap News.

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