Seoul: South Korea's exports of information and communication technology (ICT) products jumped 12.4 percent from a year earlier to a record high in 2025, driven by strong demand from the artificial intelligence (AI) industry. Outbound shipments of ICT products reached US$264.2 billion last year, compared with $235 billion in 2024.

According to Yonhap News Agency, imports rose 5.8 percent to $151.2 billion over the period, resulting in a trade surplus of $113 billion. The Ministry of Science and ICT highlighted that despite uncertainties in the global trade environment, the expansion of AI data centers worldwide, along with strong demand for solid-state drives, led to record high exports.

By sector, semiconductor exports surged 22.1 percent on-year to $173.4 billion, supported by rising global memory chip prices. Exports of computers and communications equipment advanced 3.8 percent and 3.9 percent, respectively.

However, outbound shipments of display products and handsets fell 9.5 percent and 0.5 percent, respectively. By destination, exports to the United States rose 9.8 percent to $32.5 billion, while shipments to China, including Hong Kong, edged down 0.9 percent to $97 billion.

In December alone, ICT exports reached $30 billion, soaring 32.4 percent from a year earlier to set a new monthly high. Imports increased 12.1 percent to $14.9 billion in December, resulting in a trade surplus of $15 billion.