South Korea's Exports More Than Double in First 10 Days of November

South Korea's exports more than doubled in the first 10 days of November 2026, reaching $33.5 billion compared to $15.7 billion during the same period last year. This remarkable growth signals a robust performance in international trade and brings the country closer to achieving $1 trillion in annual exports for the first time.

According to data from the Korea Customs Service, the increase in exports is primarily driven by a significant rise in semiconductor shipments, which soared by 331.2% to $16.6 billion. Semiconductors alone accounted for nearly half of the total exports, highlighting their critical role in the economy.

Imports also saw a notable increase, rising by 45% year-on-year to $24.7 billion, resulting in a trade surplus of $8.8 billion. Notably, exports to China and the United States surged by 148% and 163.6%, respectively, further underscoring the recovery in global demand.

As of now, cumulative exports for the year have reached $963.6 billion, positioning South Korea on track to surpass the $1 trillion mark by the end of the year. This achievement would mark a significant milestone for the nation's economy.