Seoul: Exports of large companies in South Korea rose approximately 10 percent on-year in the fourth quarter, boosted by a rise in global semiconductor demand, government data showed Tuesday. Outbound shipments from the top 917 of the country's 70,223 exporting firms came to US$128.1 billion as of end-December, up 10.1 percent from a year ago, according to the data compiled by the Ministry of Data and Statistics.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the growth was primarily led by semiconductors, of which exports rose 9.1 percent on-year. Exports by medium-sized businesses remained unchanged at $30.9 billion, while those from small companies advanced 10.8 percent on-year to $30.3 billion.

By country, exports to the United States fell 3.8 percent from the same period in 2024, partly due to trade uncertainties stemming from the U.S. President Donald Trump administration's sweeping tariffs. Outbound shipments to Central America and the Middle East, however, rose by a large margin, 32.2 percent and 19.8 percent, respectively, amid efforts to diversify markets.

"Many companies appear to be still unsure about resuming exports to the U.S. amid lingering tariff uncertainties, including ongoing tensions over a pending bill on the trade deal at the National Assembly," a ministry official said.