Why did Korea's ICT exports reach a record high in August 2026?

The ministry said the rise was driven by sustained global investment in artificial intelligence. Semiconductor exports in particular jumped as demand for AI infrastructure continued and global big-tech companies expanded their spending.

How much did Korea's ICT sector trade surplus reach in August 2026?

The ICT trade surplus reached $41.37 billion in August. The Ministry of Science and ICT said this was the first time the sector's surplus topped the $40 billion mark.

Which ICT product categories grew or fell the most in Korea's August export data?

Semiconductors led with $46.67 billion in exports, up 209 percent on-year, and computers and communications equipment rose 383.1 percent to $6.4 billion. Mobile phone shipments increased 23.2 percent to $1.64 billion, while display panels fell 7 percent to $1.69 billion.

Korea's ICT exports mark record high on sustained AI investments

Listen

Summary

Korea's ICT exports hit a historic high in August, driven by sustained global investment in AI. Outbound shipments reached $59.98 billion, and ICT products made up more than 60 percent of Korea's total exports for the first time. The sector posted a trade surplus of $41.37 billion, also a record. Semiconductor exports and computer and communications equipment led the surge, while display panels declined.

Key Facts

Outbound ICT shipments reached $59.98 billion in August, up 162.6 percent from $22.84 billion a year earlier.
ICT products accounted for over 60 percent of Korea's total exports for the first time.
ICT imports rose 48.8 percent on-year to $18.61 billion, producing a trade surplus of $41.37 billion.
Semiconductor exports surged 209 percent on-year to $46.67 billion, while computer and communications equipment exports jumped 383.1 percent to $6.4 billion.
Exports of display panels fell 7 percent to $1.69 billion as companies faced pressure to cut costs because memory prices rose.

By Yonhap

Published Sep 14, 2026 11:16 am KST

A SK hynix's HBM4E (High Bandwidth Memory 4 Enhanced) memory chip is displayed at a SK hynix booth before a public briefing on the development vision for the advanced industry in Gwangju. June 30. Reuters-Yonhap

Korea's exports of information and communication technology (ICT) products marked a historic high in August, driven by sustained global investments in artificial intelligence (AI), government data showed Monday.

Outbound shipments of ICT products reached $59.98 billion last month, up 162.6 percent from $22.84 billion a year earlier, the Ministry of Science and ICT said in a press release.

ICT products accounted for over 60 percent of the country's total exports in the month for the first time, the ministry added.

Imports in the sector rose 48.8 percent on-year to $18.61 billion, resulting in a trade surplus of $41.37 billion.

It marked the first time that Korea's ICT surplus topped the $40 billion mark, the ministry said.

By product, semiconductor exports surged 209 percent on-year to $46.67 billion, as demand related to AI infrastructure continued amid expanded investments from global big-tech companies.

Exports of computers and communications equipment spiked 383.1 percent to $6.4 billion, while mobile phone shipments increased 23.2 percent to $1.64 billion, the data showed.

However, outbound shipments of display panels fell 7 percent to $1.69 billion, as companies faced pressures to lower costs due to a rise in memory prices.

By destination, combined shipments to China and Hong Kong shot up 227.9 percent, while exports to the United States vaulted 306.5 percent.

Shipments to Vietnam increased 81.4 percent, those to the European Union climbed 49.1 percent and those to India advanced 126.7 percent on-year.

Explore More