South Korean exports were forecast to rise 62.6% in August from a year earlier, extending their gains to 15 consecutive months as surging global demand for AI chips supports memory-chip makers Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix. The median estimate from 10 economists matched July’s 63% jump. Imports were expected to increase 24.7%, while the monthly trade surplus was projected at $30.74 billion, up from $30.40 billion in July. South Korea, Asia’s fourth-largest economy and a bellwether for global trade, is scheduled to release its August trade data on September 1 at 9 a.m. local time. Analysts expect semiconductor strength to continue supporting exports but caution that year-over-year growth may gradually slow because of base effects, while automobile exports could ease amid labor strikes.