▲ Containers stacked at Sinseondae Pier in Busan Port
Driven by a continued surge in semiconductor exports, South Korea's exports in the first ten days of this month jumped by more than 80% compared to the same period last year, setting a new record.
According to the Korea Customs Service on Thursday (June 11), exports from June 1 to 10 (preliminary data based on customs clearance) reached $28.6 billion, an 85.9% increase from a year ago.
This marks the highest figure ever recorded for the first ten days of a month.
The previous record was $25.2 billion, set from April 1 to 10, meaning the record was broken in just two months.
The number of working days was 7, which is 1.5 days more than the same period last year (5.5 days).
Average daily exports stood at $4.09 billion, up 46.1%.
By item, semiconductor exports surged by 205.8% to $11.1 billion.
This is the highest level ever for the first ten days of a month and the first time it has surpassed the $10 billion mark.
Semiconductors accounted for 38.7% of total exports, an increase of 15.1 percentage points (p) from a year ago.
Exports of petroleum products also saw a significant increase (68.7%), and passenger vehicles, the second-largest export item, rose by 25.4%.
Exports of computer peripherals skyrocketed by 259.4%.
By country, exports to major markets all increased, including China (101.4%), the United States (54.4%), Vietnam (102.9%), the European Union (EU, 46.0%), and Taiwan (134.0%).
The combined share of the top three export destinations—China, the U.S., and Vietnam—accounted for 47.3% of the total.
Imports reached $23.4 billion, a 35.6% increase from a year ago.
Crude oil imports rose by 42.9%, recording $3 billion.
With exports exceeding imports, the trade balance recorded a surplus of $5.3 billion.
(Photo: Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.