South Korea’s cumulative semiconductor exports reached $297.68 billion, or about 400.5 trillion won, by September 10, surpassing 400 trillion won for the first time and already exceeding the 2025 full-year record of 233.3 trillion won. Semiconductor exports totaled $16.48 billion in the first 10 days of September, up 270.1% year on year, and represented 47.1% of all exports. Overall exports reached $728.56 billion, above the full-year 2025 total of $709.3 billion. Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix are benefiting from strong AI-server demand for high-bandwidth memory and higher memory prices, while China’s CXMT posted an 82% second-quarter EBIT margin, ahead of SK Hynix and Samsung’s semiconductor division. CXMT’s DRAM market share reached 10%, its first double-digit quarterly level. The export surge has also intensified scrutiny of South Korea’s shareholder-return policies and the “Korea discount,” as investors question whether large cash distributions represent lasting corporate-governance reform.