Seoul: South Korea's exports surged 12.7 percent year-on-year in September, achieving an unprecedented level thanks to robust semiconductor demand, as revealed by government data on Wednesday. Outbound shipments amounted to $65.95 billion, marking the highest monthly figure in over three and a half years, according to the Ministry of Trade and Industry.

According to Yonhap News Agency, this record surpasses the previous ceiling set in March 2022 and signifies the fourth consecutive month of year-on-year export growth. For the third quarter, exports rose 6.6 percent year-on-year to reach $185.03 billion, exceeding the $180 billion benchmark and establishing a new quarterly record. On the import front, there was an 8.2 percent year-on-year decline to $56.4 billion in September, leading to a trade surplus of $5.64 billion.

Semiconductor exports experienced a 22 percent year-on-year increase, reaching $16.6 billion, setting an unprecedented monthly high for the second month in a row. Automotive exports also saw a rise of 16.8 percent to $6.4 billion, setting a September record. Additionally, ship exports jumped 21.9 percent year-on-year to $2.89 billion, continuing a seven-month growth streak. Machinery exports expanded 10.3 percent year-on-year to $4.2 billion, marking the first annual increase this year, driven by demand from emerging markets like the Middle East.

Regionally, exports increased in seven out of eight major markets, with the exception of the United States. Shipments to the U.S. fell by 1.4 percent year-on-year to $10.27 billion, impacted by the tariff policies of the Donald Trump administration. Conversely, exports to China rose by 0.5 percent to $11.68 billion, ending a four-month downward trend. Exports to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) climbed 17.8 percent to $11.06 billion, marking the fourth consecutive month of growth and the largest amount recorded for any September.