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The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy reported that outbound shipments of ICT products climbed 140.6 percent in July from the same month a year earlier. Semiconductor exports within that category jumped 178.8 percent to 41.01 billion dollars while computer shipments soared 404 percent to 4.79 billion dollars on enterprise solid state drive demand. Wireless communications equipment exports increased 51 percent to 1.81 billion dollars and display panel shipments gained 2.4 percent to 1.61 billion dollars according to the ministry data.
Overall South Korean exports expanded 62.8 percent year on year to 98.89 billion dollars in July the ministry figures show marking the second highest monthly total on record. The performance exceeded economist forecasts compiled in a Reuters poll that had anticipated a 59 percent increase. The trade surplus remained above 30 billion dollars for a second consecutive month the government data indicated.
Earlier ministry statistics placed first half ICT exports at a record 253.9 billion dollars representing a 120.5 percent increase from the comparable period in 2025. The sustained momentum through July reflects continued investment by major United States technology companies in artificial intelligence servers and related hardware a ministry assessment found. Household goods exports also advanced 14.2 percent to 820 million dollars during the month according to the same figures.
The government raised its 2026 gross domestic product growth forecast to 3 percent citing the semiconductor driven export boom and accelerated investment in major national projects. A Korea Development Institute report from May projected 2.5 percent growth for the year on the back of similar chip export strength. The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy noted that exports increased to eight of nine major markets in July with the Middle East recording its first gain in six months.
Semiconductor prices have risen alongside expanding artificial intelligence infrastructure spending which has supported memory chip and related product sales the ministry data shows. Exports of 19 out of 20 key items posted growth in July according to the government tally. The performance builds on earlier monthly records including a 199.5 percent semiconductor surge in June that pushed chip shipments above 40 billion dollars for the first time.
