South Korea’s Export Boom Driven by Semiconductor Surge
South Korean exports reached record levels in early December, fueled by a 41.8% year-on-year surge in semiconductor shipments. The sector now accounts for over 25% of total outbound trade, offsetting weakness in automobiles and manufactured goods affected by US tariffs.
While overall exports grew 6.8%, the recovery shows signs of slowing compared to November's 13% growth rate. The semiconductor boom reflects global demand for AI, cloud computing, and data center infrastructure.
Trade data reveals a bifurcated economy: cutting-edge tech thrives while traditional industries struggle. This divergence may prompt strategic realignments in Korea's export-driven growth model.