South Korea has witnessed a record-breaking surge in semiconductor exports, with the industry posting a remarkable 134% year-on-year growth during the first 20 days of February 2026. This growth highlights the rapid recovery of the global semiconductor sector, driven by soaring demand for artificial intelligence (AI) applications and data centers, according to the Korea Customs Service.
Semiconductor Exports Lead Economic Growth
Between February 1 and February 20, South Korea’s semiconductor exports reached $15.1 billion, accounting for 34.7% of the country’s total exports. This marks a significant increase of 16.4 percentage points compared to the same period last year. The robust performance of the semiconductor sector has been the key driver of South Korea’s overall export growth during this period.
South Korea’s total exports during the first 20 days of February rose 23.5% year-on-year to $43.5 billion, the highest ever recorded for this timeframe. Despite fewer working days (13 compared to the previous year), the daily average export volume jumped 47.3%, underscoring strong global demand.
On the other hand, imports rose by 11.7% to $38.6 billion, resulting in a trade surplus of $4.9 billion during the period.
Technology Sector Drives Recovery
The semiconductor sector, which serves as a backbone of South Korea’s industrial exports, is regaining its status as a critical economic driver. This growth is fueled by the recovery of memory chip prices and increasing global investment in AI infrastructure.
Other export sectors also showed growth. Petroleum product exports increased by 10.5% to $2.9 billion, and ship exports rose by 22.7% to $1.3 billion. However, automobile exports declined sharply by 26.6%, amounting to $2.6 billion.
Strong Demand from China and the U.S.
China and the United States, key trading partners for South Korea, have significantly contributed to the export resurgence. Exports to China surged by 30.8% to $8.7 billion, while shipments to the United States rose by 21.9% to $8 billion, despite the continuation of tariffs imposed by previous U.S. administrations.
Outlook for the Semiconductor Industry
The impressive growth in semiconductor exports has bolstered optimism for South Korea’s economic performance in the first quarter of 2026. The ongoing recovery in the global semiconductor market, fueled by the digital transformation and accelerating adoption of AI technologies, is expected to remain a key driver of growth.
As one of the world’s largest semiconductor producers, South Korea continues to play a pivotal role in meeting the rising demand for memory chips and other advanced technologies.
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