Export values surged in 2025 but shipment volumes barely grew raising questions about durability and spillover effects

South Korea’s exports reached a record $709.7 billion in 2025, up 3.8% from a year earlier, surpassing the $700 billion mark for the first time, trade ministry data showed Thursday. Imports edged down 0.02% to $631.7 billion, resulting in a $78 billion trade surplus, the largest since 2017. Semiconductor exports rose 22.2% to an all-time high of $173.4 billion, driven by strong demand for high-value memory products, while autos, ships and biohealth also recorded solid gains.

Exports in December climbed 13.4% from a year earlier to $69.6 billion, extending South Korea’s export growth streak to 11 consecutive months. Imports rose 4.6% to $57.4 billion, leaving a monthly trade surplus of $12.2 billion. Industry Minister Kim Jung-kwan said the performance underscored the economy’s resilience despite global trade uncertainty, adding that the government would expand trade insurance and accelerate manufacturing AI adoption to sustain export momentum in 2026.

South Korea’s exports reached a record $709.7 billion in 2025, up 3.8% from a year earlier, surpassing the $700 billion mark for the first time, trade ministry data showed Thursday. Imports edged down 0.02% to $631.7 billion, resulting in a $78 billion trade surplus, the largest since 2017. Semiconductor exports rose 22.2% to an all-time high of $173.4 billion, driven by strong demand for high-value memory products, while autos, ships and biohealth also recorded solid gains.

Exports in December climbed 13.4% from a year earlier to $69.6 billion, extending South Korea’s export growth streak to 11 consecutive months. Imports rose 4.6% to $57.4 billion, leaving a monthly trade surplus of $12.2 billion. Industry Minister Kim Jung-kwan said the performance underscored the economy’s resilience despite global trade uncertainty, adding that the government would expand trade insurance and accelerate manufacturing AI adoption to sustain export momentum in 2026.

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