In brief
In October, South Korea’s exports grew 93.7% to $115.28 billion, the strongest increase in more than 50 years, largely due to a surge in AI semiconductor shipments and a near 500% rise in PC sales. Imports increased 36% to $72.78 billion, while the trade surplus stood at $42.5 billion, a slight dip from the previous month’s $49.97 billion. The data highlight the centrality of the AI hardware sector in Korea’s export performance.
On November 1, 2026 the Saudi Press Agency reported that South Korea’s exports nearly doubled in October, a surge attributed largely to the global demand for AI semiconductors.
The country’s export volume climbed 93.7 % year‑on‑year to $115.28 billion, the most pronounced rise in over five decades, according to official government data.
Within that total, semiconductor shipments shot up 259.4 % to $56.44 billion, while sales of personal computers swelled almost 500 % as companies increased server purchases for artificial‑intelligence services.
Imports, on the other hand, rose 36 % to $72.78 billion, marking the largest annual increase since January 2022; this uptick was driven by higher oil prices and demand for semiconductor manufacturing equipment and vehicles.
Consequently, Korea recorded a trade surplus of $42.5 billion for October, a decline from the $49.97 billion surplus posted in the previous month.
هنالك زيادة 93.7٪ في صادرات كوريا ... إن مبيعات أشباه الموصلات في الخارج قفزت 259.4٪ في أكتوبر إلى 56.44 مليار دولار وفقاً للوزارة، وفق بيانات الصادرات الدولية.
Speakers: Korean Ministry of Trade asserted the rise in semiconductor exports, noting that “جيون 259.4٪” in 2026 reflects intensified global AI investment.
Analysts point to the confluence of strong AI server demand and the domestic industry’s ability to meet global chip specifications as key drivers behind the export boom.
The Saudi Press Agency did not specify any explicit uncertainties regarding the sustainability of this growth trajectory.
