Chip demand helps Korea break $100 billion in exports for first time in June

It becomes only the fourth country in the world to surpass US$100 billion in monthly exports

Shipping containers fill the port in Pyeongtaek, South Korea. (Yonhap)

Korea’s monthly exports surged 70% year-over-year to hit US$100 billion for the first time in June, driven by robust semiconductor demand. The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources announced Wednesday that Korea’s monthly exports for June leapt 70.9% year-on-year to US$102.25 billion, breaking US$100 billion for the first time.Korea has joined Germany, China and the United States as only the fourth country in the world to surpass US$100 billion in monthly exports. Out of Korea’s 20 key export items, 18 saw increases. Semiconductor exports surged 199.5% year-on-year to US$44.82 billion, driving the overall growth in exports. The sharp increase was fueled by rising demand for memory chips. It also marked the first time monthly semiconductor exports exceeded the US$40 billion threshold. Korea also enjoyed increased exports of automobiles (5.8%), petroleum products (49.8%), petrochemicals (18.8%), and steel (9.6%). By region, exports to China rose 92.1%, with the top export item being semiconductors, while exports to the US increased by 78.6%. Exports in the first half of 2026 reached a record high of US$496.7 billion, up 48.4% year-on-year. At this pace, Korea's total exports for 2026 could reach the US$1 trillion mark.By Park Jong-o, staff reporterPlease direct questions or comments to [english@hani.co.kr]