South Korea Exports Surge 78 Percent on Semiconductor Shipments

South Korea sold much more goods to other countries during the first 20 days of September.

Its exports were 78 percent higher than during the same period a year earlier.

The biggest reason was a very large increase in semiconductor shipments.

Chip exports rose 259 percent and reached $34.12 billion.

South Korea also sold more petroleum products, cars, steel products, and ships.

It bought $48.4 billion worth of goods from other countries.

This left the country with a $23 billion trade surplus.

China and the United States were among the biggest destinations for its exports.

South Korean stocks also rose, helped by gains in major chip companies, but investors remained worried about oil prices and Middle East tensions.