South Korea’s exports have already reached $709.4 billion in 2026, surpassing the country’s full-year record of $709.3 billion set last year. The surge has been driven primarily by extraordinary global demand for semiconductors used in artificial intelligence systems.
Semiconductor exports jumped 169.6% year-on-year to $281 billion during the first eight months of the year. South Korea could potentially reach $1 trillion in annual exports by December if the current pace continues.
