How Much Did South Korea's Exports Rise in December?
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Synopsis
Discover how South Korea's exports experienced a remarkable 17.3% increase in early December, driven primarily by soaring semiconductor sales and more working days. Learn about the implications for the economy and what it means for future trade.
Key Takeaways
- Exports surged by 17.3% in the first 10 days of December.
- Semiconductor exports increased by 45.9% to $5.27 billion.
- Average daily exports rose 3.5 percent to $2.42 billion.
- Trade deficit recorded at $70 million.
- Accumulated exports in January-November reached $640.2 billion.
Seoul, Dec 11 (NationPress) South Korea's exports surged by 17.3 percent compared to a year ago during the initial 10 days of December, supported by strong global demand for semiconductors and a rise in working days, as reported on Thursday.
The value of outbound shipments reached $20.58 billion from December 1 to 10, compared to $17.54 billion recorded a year prior, according to data from the Korea Customs Service. This figure represents the highest for any 10-day period, as noted by the Yonhap news agency.
Average daily exports increased by 3.5 percent year-on-year to $2.42 billion, the customs office stated. The number of working days in this timeframe totaled 8.5 days, up from 7.5 days the previous year.
Meanwhile, imports rose by 8 percent year-on-year to $20.65 billion, leading to a trade deficit of $70 million.
Chip exports soared by 45.9 percent compared to a year earlier, totaling $5.27 billion. Semiconductor shipments represented 25.6 percent of total exports during this 10-day period, a rise of 5 percentage points from last year.
Petrochemical product exports increased by 23.1 percent year-on-year to $1.51 billion, while steel exports saw a modest increase of 1.9 percent to $1.19 billion.
In contrast, automobile exports declined by 5.7 percent year-on-year to $1.36 billion, and vessel shipments plummeted by 47.7 percent to $567 million.
Regarding export destinations, shipments to China, South Korea's primary trading partner, rose by 12.9 percent to $4.23 billion. However, exports to the United States dipped by 3.2 percent year-on-year to $3.57 billion due to new tariff measures imposed by Washington.
Exports to Vietnam surged by 35.8 percent to $2.13 billion, while shipments to the European Union grew by 2.6 percent to $1.59 billion.
In November, exports rose by 8.4 percent year-on-year to reach $61.04 billion, marking the highest figure for any November, driven by strong semiconductor demand.
Total exports from January to November hit $640.2 billion, a record for this period, heightening expectations that the annual exports will exceed $700 billion for the first time in history this year.
Point of View
It’s vital to acknowledge that South Korea's export growth reflects its strong position in the global semiconductor market. This surge not only strengthens the economy but also showcases the resilience of its manufacturing sector amidst global challenges.
NationPress
11/12/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What factors contributed to the rise in South Korea's exports?
The rise in South Korea's exports can be attributed to strong global demand for semiconductors and an increase in working days.
How much did semiconductor exports increase?
Semiconductor exports surged by 45.9% compared to the previous year, reaching $5.27 billion.
What was the trade deficit during this period?
The trade deficit amounted to $70 million as imports rose by 8% year-on-year.
What impact did the US tariffs have on exports?
Exports to the United States fell by 3.2% year-on-year due to new tariff measures imposed by Washington.
What are the projections for South Korea's annual exports?
There are expectations that South Korea's annual exports will exceed $700 billion for the first time in history this year.
