South Korea trade surplus expanded as the nation posted its strongest export growth in over three years. Outbound shipments jumped 12.7 percent, fueled by strong demand for semiconductors, cars, and ships. The growth marked the highest monthly export total since early 2022 and extended a four-month streak of increases.
Exports totaled $65.95 billion, showing solid momentum in the country’s trade sector. Imports, however, dropped 8.2 percent to $56.4 billion. The wider gap between exports and imports created a $5.64 billion trade surplus. This positive balance reflected Korea’s growing strength in global trade.
South Korea trade surplus momentum also reached a quarterly record. Exports climbed 6.6 percent in the third quarter, hitting $185.03 billion. This figure broke the $180 billion mark, highlighting Korea’s strong competitive edge in international markets.
Semiconductors led the way, with chip exports surging 22 percent to $16.6 billion. This performance set an all-time monthly record for the second month in a row. The numbers underscored Korea’s key role as a global semiconductor hub.
Cars also contributed to the surge. Auto exports rose 16.8 percent, reaching $6.4 billion, the highest figure for any September. Ship exports gained 21.9 percent, reaching $2.89 billion, marking seven straight months of growth. Machinery exports climbed 10.3 percent to $4.2 billion, the first yearly gain supported by demand from the Middle East.
Regional data showed mixed outcomes. Shipments to the United States dropped 1.4 percent to $10.27 billion, mainly due to tariff measures from the Donald Trump administration. Meanwhile, exports to China inched up 0.5 percent, breaking a four-month losing streak.
Also, exports to ASEAN countries provided a major boost, rising 17.8 percent to $11.06 billion. This strong result marked the largest amount for any September, driven by semiconductors, ships, and machinery.
Overall, South Korea trade surplus results highlight resilience despite external challenges. Strong exports of chips, cars, and ships continue to anchor growth. With these results, Korea maintains its position as a leading global trading nation.
