South Korea’s exports in 2025 reached an unprecedented $709.7 billion, exceeding the $700 billion milestone for the first time, as per government data. The annual exports saw a 3.8 percent increase from the previous year, with semiconductor exports surging by 22.2 percent to a record $173.4 billion, driven by artificial intelligence (AI) growth.
Imports slightly decreased by 0.02 percent to $631.7 billion, resulting in a trade surplus of $78 billion, the largest since 2017. The Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Resources credited the exceptional export performance to the strong showing of key items like semiconductors, cars, and ships, along with the expansion of smaller sectors such as agro-fisheries and cosmetics.
Export destinations diversified in 2025, with reduced shipments to the U.S. and China due to trade protectionism, while exports to ASEAN, Latin America, and the CIS increased. Chip exports hit a record $173.4 billion, car exports reached $72 billion, and biohealth, ship, and computer exports also saw significant growth.
Notably, agro-fisheries and cosmetics exports surged, while petrochemical and steel exports declined due to oversupply. Shipments to the U.S. and China decreased, but exports to ASEAN, the EU, and the CIS expanded. India also saw a rise in imports from South Korea to a record $19.2 billion.
In December alone, outbound shipments grew by 13.4 percent year-on-year to $69.6 billion, marking the 11th consecutive monthly increase. Imports rose by 4.6 percent to $57.4 billion, resulting in a trade surplus of $12.2 billion.
