South Korea exports surpass $900 billion, near $1 trillion

South Korea’s exports totaled $930 billion from January through October 2026, a record that puts the country on track to surpass $1 trillion in annual exports as soon as November. October exports rose 93.7% year over year to $115.28 billion, the second consecutive month above $110 billion. Semiconductors led the increase, with exports up 259.4% amid demand tied to AI investment; computer exports also surged, while 18 of the country’s 20 major export categories posted gains. Exports to China and the United States rose sharply, and the October trade surplus reached $42.5 billion. Economists cautioned that October’s unusually high number of working days and favorable comparisons with last year contributed to the exceptional growth, alongside strong demand for chips.