South Korea exports hit about $270 billion in Q2 2026
June exports rose 59.5% year over year after a 53.4% increase in May, with semiconductor exports cited as a key driver.
Summary
South Korea’s exports reached a record roughly $270 billion in Q2 2026, extending a sharp acceleration in trade growth. June exports rose 59.5% from a year earlier, up from an already strong 53.4% increase in May. The move was linked to semiconductor exports, underscoring how chip demand tied to the AI buildout is reshaping the country’s export-heavy economy.
Terms & Concepts
- semiconductor exports: Overseas sales of computer chips
- year over year: Compared with the same period a year earlier
- AI: Artificial intelligence systems and tools