Containers are stacked at a port in the southeastern city of Busan on Oct. 1, 2026. (Yonhap)

According to Yonhap News,

SEOUL, Oct. 12 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's exports more than doubled from a year earlier during the first 10 days of October, customs data showed Monday, on the back of the global semiconductor upcycle.

Outbound shipments reached USD 26.1 billion in the Oct. 1-10 period, according to the data from the Korea Customs Service.

It marked the highest export value for the period, surpassing the previous record of USD 15.3 billion set in the first 10 days of October 2025.

The daily average export total came to USD 4.75 billion, setting a new record for any 10-day period as well.

Imports went up 65.5 percent on-year to USD 22.3 billion over the cited period, resulting in a trade surplus of USD 3.8 billion.

By sector, outbound shipments of chips vaulted 170.9 percent to USD 12.1 billion, while those of petroleum products rose 45.6 percent to USD 1.75 billion.

Exports of cars surged 82.7 percent to USD 1.21 billion, while those of steel products increased 49.4 percent to USD 1 billion. Ship exports, however, fell 13.4 percent to USD 682 million.

By destination, exports to China soared 167 percent to USD 7.59 billion, while those to the United States jumped 159.9 percent to USD 3.65 billion.

Exports to Vietnam rose 89.7 percent to USD 2.4 billion, the latest findings showed.

colin@yna.co.kr



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Source: Yonhap News (October 12, 2026)