South Korea's Exports Hit Record High of $102.25B in June, But Semiconductor Dependence Grows

According to Kiwoom Securities, South Korea's exports reached $102.25 billion in June, surging 70.9% year-over-year and marking the highest monthly figure on record. The gains were driven by expanded AI investment and strong memory chip prices.

However, the semiconductor sector's rapid expansion is masking underlying structural weakness. Semiconductors' share of total exports jumped from 29.9% at end-2025 to 43.8% in June, while traditional industries remain under pressure. Automobiles shifted to decline in the second quarter, while automotive parts, appliances, machinery, and steel continued falling. Kim Yu-mi, a Kiwoom Securities analyst, noted that whether semiconductor growth spreads to other sectors will be crucial for Korea's export sustainability.