South Korea’s exports climbed to a record $709.7bn in 2025, crossing the $700bn threshold for the first time as a powerful rebound in semiconductors offset weaker trade with the US and China, the nation’s Yonhap News Agency reports.

Outbound shipments rose 3.8% from the previous year, according to government data, with chip exports jumping 22.2% to an all-time high of $173.4bn. The surge reflected a sharp rise in memory chip prices and sustained demand from artificial intelligence data centres.

According to Yonhap, imports edged down marginally to $631.7bn, leaving a trade surplus of $78bn, the largest since 2017 and a sign of improving external balances after a volatile period for global trade.

Beyond semiconductors, exports were supported by solid performances in automobiles and shipbuilding, alongside steady growth in smaller sectors such as agro-fisheries and cosmetics. Car exports rose 1.7% to a record $72bn, despite the drag from US tariffs, while ship exports jumped nearly a quarter to $32bn. Biohealth shipments meanwhile advanced 7.9% to just over $16bn.

The geographical mix of exports continued to shift. Sales to the US fell 3.8% to $122.9bn amid the impact of tariff measures, while exports to China slipped 1.7% on softer demand for petrochemicals and machinery. By contrast, shipments to south-east Asia rose by 7.4%, driven by chips, and exports to the EU increased 3% on stronger demand for vehicles and ships. Trade with the Commonwealth of Independent States expanded sharply, while exports to India reached a new high.