South Korea's exports rose 68.7% year on year to USD 98.25 billion in August 2026, exceeding the 62.6% market forecast and extending the expansion streak to 15 months. Semiconductor exports reached a record USD 46.65 billion, up 209.0% from a year earlier and marking the fifth monthly record of the year, as major cloud companies including Google and Amazon expanded artificial-intelligence infrastructure investments. Chip exports exceeded USD 40 billion for a third consecutive month. Imports increased 22.5% to USD 63.51 billion, producing a USD 34.75 billion trade surplus. Computer exports also hit a record after NAND price increases, while automobile and ship exports declined. Industry Minister Kim Jung-kwan said the strong growth in non-semiconductor exports indicated a broadening export base, while warning that tariffs, the EU's steel Tariff Rate Quota and tensions in the Middle East remained risks.