Seoul: South Korea's monthly exports reached an unprecedented level, surpassing the US$100 billion mark for the first time in June, fueled by a record-breaking performance in the semiconductor sector, data revealed on Wednesday. Outbound shipments soared 70.9 percent year-on-year to $102.25 billion, according to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources.

According to Yonhap News Agency, imports increased by 30.1 percent year-on-year to $66.1 billion, resulting in a trade surplus of $36.15 billion. This marked the first occasion where the monthly trade balance exceeded $30 billion. The semiconductor exports nearly tripled, reaching $44.82 billion, with monthly exports surpassing $40 billion for the first time due to the surging demand for memory chips.

Computer product exports surged over 300 percent to $5.41 billion as global tech companies expanded their investments in artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure, the ministry noted. Exports of mobile devices rose by 51.9 percent to $1.55 billion, driven by the increasing demand for new smartphones. The data also indicated a 5.8 percent rise in automobile exports to $6.71 billion, attributed to the stabilization of auto parts supplies.

Outbound shipments of petroleum products increased by 49.8 percent to $5.59 billion due to higher prices, while petrochemical goods exports rose by 18.8 percent to $4.07 billion. By destination, exports to China increased by 92.1 percent to $20 billion, buoyed by strong growth in semiconductors, petrochemical products, machinery, and mobile devices. Exports to the United States grew by 78.6 percent to $20 billion, driven by expanding investments in AI servers.

Shipments to Southeast Asian nations also climbed 86.6 percent to $18.3 billion, while exports to the European Union rose by 31.8 percent to $7.62 billion. Over the January-June period, exports reached a record high, increasing by 48.4 percent from a year earlier to $496.7 billion. Semiconductor exports surged 163 percent from the previous year in the first half.

"South Korea was able to post a record export performance in the first half due to robust semiconductor exports driven by demand for AI servers," Industry Minister Kim Jung-kwan stated in a release. "In the second half, uncertainties are expected to persist, with factors including U.S. tariff measures, oil price volatility, and the possibility of a global economic slowdown," Kim added, emphasizing that South Korea will strive to address such challenges through close coordination with its trading partners.