South Korea reported record trade momentum driven by semiconductors, with the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy saying cumulative semiconductor exports through July reached $233.3 billion, up 165.1% from $88 billion a year earlier, and separate National Data Agency and Korea Customs Service data showing total second-quarter exports rose 57.3% to a record $275.5 billion. China remained the largest semiconductor market, with July chip shipments of $11.56 billion versus $2.57 billion to the United States, while Samsung Electronics and SK hynix both increased China revenue in absolute terms but saw China's share of sales decline as overall revenue expanded faster on higher-value products such as HBM, AI server DRAM and enterprise SSDs. The chip upcycle also increased export concentration, with electrical and electronics exports jumping 109.8% to $160.4 billion in the second quarter and the top 10 exporters' trade concentration ratio rising to a record 55.3%. Analysts and company officials said Chinese memory makers including CXMT and YMTC are gaining ground in general-purpose DRAM and NAND, but do not yet pose an immediate profitability threat to South Korean chipmakers, while higher DDR5 and NAND prices and planned factory expansion support expectations for continued export strength.