South Korea’s export sector reached a historic milestone in the second quarter of 2026, with total value climbing to approximately $270 billion. This surge is largely attributed to the ongoing expansion of the artificial intelligence industry and its impact on global trade dynamics.
Monthly data indicates a significant acceleration in trade activity, as June exports soared by 59.5% compared to the previous year. This performance exceeded the growth recorded in May, which saw a year-over-year increase of 53.4%.
The record-breaking figures are primarily fueled by a massive increase in semiconductor shipments, highlighting the country's central role in the global AI hardware supply chain.