SEOUL, January 01 (AJP) - South Korea’s exports hit an all-time high in 2025, surpassing $700 billion for the first time, driven by record semiconductor shipments despite weakening demand in key overseas markets.
According to data released Thursday by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, exports rose 3.8 percent from a year earlier to $709.7 billion, topping the previous record set in 2024. Average daily exports also reached a historic high of $2.64 billion.
Semiconductor exports — the country’s largest item — climbed 22.2 percent to $173.4 billion, setting another annual record as global AI investment pushed up memory prices. Automotive exports edged up 1.7 percent to $72 billion, also a record despite tariff-related declines in U.S.-bound shipments.
Other major gainers included bio/health (+7.9%), ships (+24.9%), computers (+4.5%), and wireless devices (+0.4%). Exports of agricultural and fisheries goods, cosmetics and electrical equipment all reached historic highs amid growing global interest in K-food and K-beauty.
By contrast, petroleum products (-9.6%), petrochemicals (-11.4%), and steel (-9.0%) declined due to lower oil prices and global oversupply.
Shipments to China — Korea’s biggest market — fell 1.7 percent, while exports to the United States dropped 3.8 percent, weighed down by tariffs on Korean automobiles and machinery. Exports to ASEAN rose 7.4 percent, to the EU 3.0 percent, and to CIS countries 18.6 percent.
Total imports were nearly flat at $631.7 billion, with reduced energy purchases offsetting increased imports of semiconductor manufacturing equipment. As a result, Korea posted a $78 billion trade surplus for 2025.
In December alone, exports grew 13.4 percent to a monthly record $69.6 billion, marking the 11th straight month of year-on-year gains. Chip exports in December surged 43.2 percent to a historic monthly high of $20.8 billion.
Industry Minister Kim Jeong-gwan said Korea must use the momentum to upgrade export competitiveness, citing “manufacturing AI transformation” and accelerated investment in advanced sectors including AI semiconductors.
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