
South Korea's exports reached 107 billion euros in September, up 83.5% year-on-year, driven by strong global demand for semiconductors for artificial intelligence, with records in AI-related chips and computers.
AI-generated summary
South Korea is a key player in the global semiconductor industry, with companies like Samsung and SK hynix dominant in memory, essential for the development of artificial intelligence.
South Korea's exports hit their highest level ever in a single month in September, driven by a global boom in demand for components for artificial intelligence (AI).
South Korean exports amounted to the equivalent of 107 billion euros last month, up 83.5% year-on-year, the Commerce Ministry announced on Thursday.
Skip the ad
South Korea is the home of tech giants Samsung Electronics and SK hynix, both key suppliers to the thriving global AI industry. Semiconductor exports reached a historic high of 53.2 billion euros, a jump of more than 262% year-on-year, as rising memory demand boosted shipments while prices continued to rise.
“Strength of our industries and businesses”
Computer exports also continued to grow, reaching 6.2 billion euros, up 435.3%, driven by the diffusion of agentic AI and the continued strong demand for AI infrastructure, according to the ministry.
This new record demonstrates the “strength of our industries and businesses”, welcomed Commerce Minister Kim Jung-kwan in a press release. According to him, South Korean exports are expected to exceed $1 trillion this year, despite the risks posed by renewed protectionism around the world and war in the Middle East.
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
South Korean exports will exceed $1 trillion this year, as announced by the Minister of Commerce.
Likely · Within months

Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu warned of the rapid increase in French public debt, which now exceeds economic growth, while the yield gap with Germany reached a record 135 basis points and 10-year rates crossed the 4.8% threshold for the first time since 2008, on the eve of the presentation of the 2027 draft budget providing for an effort of 54 billion euros.

Two weeks after the cancellation of his retrospective at the Met in New York due to a controversy linked to anti-Semitic remarks, John Galliano sees his first collaboration with Zara launched on October 1 in Paris, in an exhibition by appointment at 70, rue des Archives, until October 6.

The American giant Live Nation has acquired the Plenitude Arena, the largest indoor venue in Europe located in Nanterre, from Jacky Lorenzetti's Ovalto holding company. The operation was facilitated by a reform of the Competition Authority's control thresholds.

The Castel group is going through a major family and managerial crisis, while TotalEnergies highlights the exceptional profitability of its European refineries in a tense geopolitical context in the Middle East.
The French government has unveiled a social leasing scheme for heat pumps, allowing 55,000 low-income households to replace their gas or oil boiler without increasing their monthly budget from October 1.
On October 1, several measures came into force in France: 6.3% increase in the price of gas, increase in medical deductibles to 140 euros, extension of fuel assistance, generalization of third-party payment for My psychological support and reimbursement of menstrual protection.