Exports in June totaled $102.25 billion, surpassing $100 billion in a month for the first time. Korea became the fourth country in the world to top $100 billion in monthly exports, after Germany, China and the United States. The surge was driven by a sharp rise in semiconductor demand as investment in artificial intelligence (AI) expanded.
The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources and the Korea Customs Service said on the 1st in the "June 2026 trade trends" report that last month's exports rose 70.9% from a year earlier. Monthly exports were in the $80 billion range over the past three months, at $87.2 billion in March, $85.9 billion in April and $87.7 billion in May.
Average daily exports, adjusted for working days, rose 59.5% to $4.54 billion, marking a record high for the second straight month.
The semiconductor industry led overall export performance. Semiconductor exports in June jumped 199.5% from a year earlier to $44.82 billion. It was the highest monthly figure on record. It exceeded $40 billion for the first time ever.
In addition, computer exports rose 308.8% to $5.41 billion, and wireless communication devices increased 51.9% to $1.55 billion. Auto exports also climbed 5.8% to $6.71 billion.
Imports increased 30.1% to $66.10 billion, which is seen as reflecting higher crude oil imports due to elevated oil prices from the Middle East war. The trade balance, exports minus imports, posted a surplus of $36.15 billion. The cumulative balance for January–June recorded a surplus of $138.3 billion, up $110.9 billion from the same period last year.