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The Korea Customs Service reported that outbound shipments reached $55.2 billion in the Aug. 1-20 period, the highest level for any August on record. Semiconductor exports surged 198.8 percent to $26.03 billion during those 20 days, contributing the bulk of the overall increase. This performance extends a pattern of strong growth seen in prior months, driven by robust international orders.
Imports rose 19 percent to $41.2 billion in the same period, according to Korea Customs Service data, producing a trade surplus of $14 billion. The figures follow an already impressive start to the month, when the first 10 days saw exports advance 45.3 percent to $21.3 billion. Chip exports in that initial period jumped 155.4 percent to $9.95 billion, the Korea Times reported.
The Korea Herald reported that the latest customs release on August 21 highlighted how semiconductor demand has propelled trade figures higher throughout 2026. Exports gained 53.2 percent in May to $87.75 billion, Reuters noted, with semiconductor shipments alone climbing 169.4 percent to a record $37.16 billion that month. The upward trend continued into June, which posted the strongest annual export growth since 1978.
Information and communications technology exports reached a record in July, according to data cited by industry trackers, setting the stage for the strong August start. Semiconductors have accounted for an expanding share of total shipments as global investment in AI infrastructure accelerates. The Korea Customs Service has released the preliminary data without providing immediate further breakdowns by destination market.
South Korea’s trade performance has benefited from elevated memory chip prices and volumes, a Reuters assessment from earlier in the year found. Major producers have scaled output to meet demand from data centers and technology firms. The $14 billion surplus for the first 20 days of August reflects improved external balances for the export-oriented economy.
The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy has consistently identified semiconductors as a cornerstone of national export strategy in recent briefings. Early August results align with the momentum observed in the first half of the year, when ICT exports set multiple records. Additional monthly data will offer further insight into whether the current pace can be maintained through the remainder of 2026.
