Containers are stacked at a port in the southeastern city of Busan, in this Sept. 1, 2026, file photo. (Yonhap)

According to Yonhap News,

SEOUL, Sept. 11 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's exports surged nearly 83 percent on-year in the first 10 days of September, customs data showed Friday, driven by robust semiconductor shipments amid the global artificial intelligence (AI) boom.

Outbound shipments reached USD 35 billion in the Sept. 1-10 period, according to the numbers released by the Korea Customs Service.

The customs agency said exports reached the highest level for the first 10 days of September on record.

Imports rose 20.7 percent on-year to USD 24.6 billion over the cited period, resulting in a trade surplus of $10.4 billion.

Semiconductors led the overall gains, soaring 270 percent to USD 16.5 billion, also setting a fresh high for the period.

Outbound shipments of petroleum products jumped 57 percent to USD 1.87 billion, while automobile exports increased 10 percent to USD 1.7 billion.

Exports of ships and steel products also shot up 66.8 percent and 10.3 percent, respectively, the report showed.

By destination, exports to China doubled to USD 7.95 billion, while those to the United States increased 137.5 percent to USD 7 billion.

The country's total exports from Jan. 1 through Thursday came to USD 728.5 billion, climbing 54.1 percent from a year earlier. The trade surplus reached USD 212.9 billion so far in 2026.

colin@yna.co.kr



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Source Text

Source: Yonhap News (September 11, 2026)