That’s the export volume of South Korea in 2025.
📦 Record year for trade: With this milestone, South Korea broke the US$700 billion mark for the first time. Exports rose 3.8%, and the trade surplus hit US$78 billion, the highest level since 2017.
🧠 Chips power the boom: Semiconductor exports jumped 22.2% to US$173.4 billion, driven by AI data centers. Cars, ships, and niches such as cosmetics and agro-food also posted new highs.
Watch: Less reliance on the US and China, more ASEAN, the EU, and the Global South. South Korea’s export engine is not just running faster, but broader. Especially, the global K-culture boom added extra momentum in 2025.
Free Guide
The China Survival Guide for Western Businesses
Entity setup, WeChat strategy, hiring your first local team. 12+ years on the ground in Shanghai.
