Republic of Korea’s Exports Hit Record High in 2025

Republic
of Korea’s Exports Hit Record High in 2025

Seoul,
1 Jan 2026 (ONA) — Official government data released in the Republic of Korea
today revealed that the country’s exports reached their highest level ever
during the past year, amounting to $709.7 billion. According to reports from
the Korean Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Energy, exports grew by 3.8 percent
annually, primarily fueled by a 22.2 percent surge in semiconductor shipments,
which reached a record $173.4 billion amid global artificial intelligence boom.

On
the other hand, imports slightly decreased by 0.02 percent to $631.7 billion in
2025, resulting in a trade surplus of $78 billion, the largest recorded since
2017. The Ministry attributed this historic export performance to the strong
demand for key commodities such as semiconductors, cars, and ships, as well as
growth in smaller industries like agricultural and marine products and
cosmetics.

—Ends/AG