What drove Korea’s exports to more than double in the first 10 days of October?

The increase was led by semiconductor exports, which vaulted 170.9 percent to $12.1 billion amid a global semiconductor upcycle. Petroleum products, cars and steel products also recorded strong growth.

How large was Korea’s trade surplus in the first 10 days of October?

Korea recorded a $3.8 billion trade surplus after exports reached $26.1 billion and imports rose 65.5 percent year-on-year to $22.3 billion. The daily average export total was $4.75 billion, a record for any 10-day period.

Which markets recorded the strongest growth in Korea’s exports during the first 10 days of October?

Exports to China rose 167 percent to $7.59 billion, while shipments to the United States increased 159.9 percent to $3.65 billion. Exports to Vietnam also grew 89.7 percent to $2.4 billion.

Exports double in first 10 days of October on chips

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Summary

Korea’s exports more than doubled in the Oct. 1-10 period on strong semiconductor shipments. Outbound shipments reached $26.1 billion, the highest value for the period, while the daily average also set a record. Imports rose 65.5 percent to $22.3 billion, producing a $3.8 billion trade surplus.

Key Facts

Chip exports surged 170.9 percent to $12.1 billion during the Oct. 1-10 period.
Exports of petroleum products rose 45.6 percent to $1.75 billion, while car exports increased 82.7 percent to $1.21 billion.
Ship exports fell 13.4 percent to $682 million, contrasting with gains in other major product categories.
Exports to China soared 167 percent to $7.59 billion, while shipments to the United States jumped 159.9 percent to $3.65 billion.
Exports to Vietnam increased 89.7 percent to $2.4 billion during the period.

By Yonhap

Published Oct 12, 2026 9:20 am KST
Updated Oct 12, 2026 9:27 am KST

Containers are stacked at a port in the southeastern city of Busan, Oct. 1. Yonhap

Korea's exports more than doubled from a year earlier during the first 10 days of October, customs data showed Monday, on the back of the global semiconductor upcycle.

Outbound shipments reached $26.1 billion in the Oct. 1-10 period, according to the data from the Korea Customs Service.

It marked the highest export value for the period, surpassing the previous record of $15.3 billion set in the first 10 days of October 2025.

The daily average export total came to $4.75 billion, setting a new record for any 10-day period as well.

Imports went up 65.5 percent year-on-year to $22.3 billion over the cited period, resulting in a trade surplus of $3.8 billion.

By sector, outbound shipments of chips vaulted 170.9 percent to $12.1 billion, while those of petroleum products rose 45.6 percent to $1.75 billion.

Exports of cars surged 82.7 percent to $1.21 billion, while those of steel products increased 49.4 percent to $1 billion. Ship exports, however, fell 13.4 percent to $682 million.

By destination, exports to China soared 167 percent to $7.59 billion, while those to the United States jumped 159.9 percent to $3.65 billion.

Exports to Vietnam rose 89.7 percent to $2.4 billion, the latest findings showed.

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