Business · Trade · 43 mins ago
South Korea’s exports hit a November record, led by semiconductors
South Korea’s exports set a record for Nov.
1–10, rising 111.9% from the same period last year, according to customs data.
The two reports give different export totals: $335 billion in one account and $355 billion in the other.
Both say semiconductors drove much of the increase, with their share of exports reported at 49.7% in one account.
Exports also rose to China, the United States, Vietnam, Taiwan and the European Union, while car exports fell in the account that detailed product categories.
Imports rose 45% to $247 billion, including increases in semiconductor and energy imports, according to one report.
Exports exceeded imports, producing an $88 billion trade surplus in that account; it said the surplus had continued for 21 months.
The other report said South Korea was approaching $1 trillion in exports for the year, but the conflicting figures mean the exact total for the 10-day period is unclear.
South Korea’s exports from November 1 to 10 reached a record for that period, according to the Korea Customs Service.
The two reports disagree on the total: Donga Ilbo reported $33.5 billion, while Chosun Ilbo reported $35.5 billion.
Both reports said exports rose 111.9% from the same period a year earlier.
Semiconductors led the growth, although Donga Ilbo gives differing semiconductor export figures in its headline and article text.
Imports also rose, and Donga Ilbo reported a trade surplus of $8.8 billion.
- Who
- South Korean exporters and the Korea Customs Service.
- What
- Exports in the first 10 days of November reached a record for that period. The reports disagree on the total, giving $33.5 billion and $35.5 billion.
- When
- November 1–10, 2026; the customs data was announced November 11.
- Where
- South Korea.
- Why
- Semiconductor exports drove the increase, according to the reports.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
This story does not have a timeline yet.
- Export total, Donga Ilbo
- $33.5 billion
- Export total, Chosun Ilbo
- $35.5 billion
- Year-on-year export growth
- 111.9%
- Semiconductor exports, Donga Ilbo article text
- $16.6 billion, up 331.2%
- Trade surplus, Donga Ilbo
- $8.8 billion