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South Korea's exports surge to record $120 billion on semiconductor demand

South Korea's merchandise exports have reached an unprecedented $120 billion, driven by surging global demand for semiconductors amid the artificial intelligence boom. The milestone represents an 83.5 percent increase, underscoring the country's dominant position in chip manufacturing.

LSN World News · 1 October 2026

South Korea's exports surge to record $120 billion on semiconductor demand

South Korea has achieved a historic export milestone as global appetite for semiconductors continues to accelerate, propelled by the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence applications worldwide. The country shipped merchandise valued at more than $120 billion for the first time on record, marking a dramatic 83.5 percent jump from the previous period.

The surge reflects South Korea's entrenched role as a critical supplier of memory chips and semiconductors essential to data centers, cloud computing infrastructure, and AI-enabled devices. Major South Korean chipmakers have benefited significantly from sustained investment in semiconductor production capacity as technology companies race to meet growing computational demands.

The export performance demonstrates the economic significance of South Korea's technology sector to the broader regional economy. The country's semiconductor industry has positioned itself at the forefront of meeting global demand for advanced chips, capitalizing on both established market strengths and emerging opportunities in artificial intelligence infrastructure.

The record exports add to South Korea's economic momentum as the nation continues to leverage its technological expertise and manufacturing capabilities in competitive global markets. Sustained demand for semiconductors appears likely to remain robust given ongoing investments in AI technology and digital infrastructure expansion worldwide.