How much did South Korea export this year after surpassing the 2025 record?

Cumulative exports reached $709.4 billion as of 1 p.m. Saturday, edging past the previous annual high of $709.3 billion set in 2025. President Lee Jae Myung shared the customs chief’s report on social media.

Why did the Korea Customs Service say exports could hit $1 trillion in early December?

The customs chief said the projection was based on the current trend of solid exports continuing. He pointed to growth despite protectionism, global supply chain restructuring and tensions in the Middle East.

What products helped drive Korea’s export growth this year?

Semiconductor exports rose 169.6 percent in the first eight months of the year. Exports of computer peripherals, petroleum products, wireless communication devices and ships also increased sharply.

Lee touts record-high exports after surpassing 2025 annual record

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Summary

President Lee Jae Myung said South Korea’s cumulative exports had already surpassed last year’s annual record by 1 p.m. Saturday. The Korea Customs Service chief reported exports of $709.4 billion, topping the 2025 record of $709.3 billion. He said exports could reach $1 trillion around early December if the current trend continues. Government data showed semiconductor exports jumped 169.6 percent in the first eight months of the year, and the Bank of Korea raised its 2026 growth forecast to 3.3 percent.

Key Facts

Cumulative exports reached $709.4 billion as of 1 p.m. Saturday, exceeding the 2025 annual record of $709.3 billion.
The Korea Customs Service chief said annual exports could reach $1 trillion around early December if the current pace holds.
During the first eight months of the year, semiconductor exports rose 169.6 percent from a year earlier.
Exports of computer peripherals, petroleum products, wireless communication devices and ships also grew markedly.
The Bank of Korea raised its 2026 growth forecast to 3.3 percent, citing strong chip exports driven by steady demand for AI-related infrastructure.

By Yonhap

Published Sep 5, 2026 3:41 pm KST

Containers are stacked at a port in the southeastern port city of Busan, Aug. 6. Yonhap

President Lee Jae Myung on Saturday shared on social media a report from the customs chief showing that South Korea's cumulative exports so far this year had already surpassed last year's annual record.

Lee said in a post on X, formerly Twitter, titled "A report from Korea Customs Service Commissioner Lee Jong-wook," that cumulative exports had reached $709.4 billion as of 1 p.m. Saturday, exceeding the previous annual record of $709.3 billion set in 2025.

"Despite the uncertain trade environment, including growing protectionism, the restructuring of global supply chains and the situation in the Middle East, our exports continue to show remarkable growth," the agency chief said in the report.

"If the current trend of solid exports continues, annual exports are expected to reach $1 trillion around early December," he said, noting that the United States, China and Germany have so far recorded annual exports of $1 trillion or more.

During the first eight months of this year, semiconductor exports rose 169.6 percent from a year earlier, while exports of other major products, including computer peripherals, petroleum products, wireless communication devices and ships, also grew markedly, government data showed.

The Bank of Korea has raised its 2026 growth forecast for South Korea to 3.3 percent, citing strong chip exports driven by steady demand for artificial intelligence (AI)-related infrastructure.

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